Farmers in Bargarh, Odisha, mount a protest against TPWODL, alleging exploitation
Thursday saw a protest march by district farmers accusing Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL) of exploitation.
The protesters, who were organized by Jay Kisan Andolan, also held a dharna in front of the Bargarh collector’s office, claiming that the TPWODL officials were involved in anti-farmer actions.
According to the general secretary of the farmers’ organization Hara Bania, electricity is crucial to farming, whether it be for harvesting, irrigation, or other uses. Nonetheless, farmers are being purposefully harassed by TPWODL authorities for failing to pay their exorbitant costs.
In order to collect unexpectedly large bills, he said that since TPWODL took over the region’s power distribution, its employees have been turning more and more to drastic tactics, such as cutting off energy to impoverished homes and farmers in rural regions.
Moreover, starting of the current rabi season, purchasing paddy is now contingent upon paying outstanding electrical bills. “A law and order situation will arise in the future if these oppressive rules against farmers are not revoked,” Bania said.
In order to prevent exploitation by millers and middlemen, among others, the protestors demanded free electricity for farming activities, no power disruptions during cultivation and until the crops are harvested, an extension of the registration period, a Rs 1,000 bonus on MSP, waivers of farm loans, and a decentralized paddy procurement system.
According to Samanwaya Samiti Lingaraj, convenor of Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan, farmers also want the MSP to be fixed in accordance with the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations.
Later in the day, via additional district magistrate Madhuchanda Sahu, the agitated farmers delivered a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
