Bhubaneswar: Even as opposition Congress and BJP decided to extend support to the shutdown called in the State by Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS), a farmers’ organisation, over pension and other demands on Thursday, the State Government on Tuesday urged the Sangathan, to call off the proposed bandh in view of the Matriculation examination beginning Friday.
“The Odisha Government urged the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan to desist from going on Odisha bandh on 21st February, a day before Matriculation Exam, which would inconvenience examinees, parents and teachers and disrupt movement of questions papers,” posted a Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his official Facebook account.
The NNKS has called for a 12-hour Odisha Bandh on February 21 to protest the alleged apathy of the State Government towards the farming community and its negligence in addressing the demands.
Meanwhile, both Congress and BJP announced their support for bandh called by the NNKS, which has been demanding pension and proper price agricultural produce for farmers.
NNKS national convener Akshaya Kumar alleged that the State Government has deprived the farmers of their right to speech and freedom and prestige.
