BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Raipur Nov 21, 2009, 00:47 IST
Farmers in Chhattisgarh have called for a state-wide shutdown on November 25 in support of their demand for a bonus of Rs 270 for a quintal of paddy.
The state government had recently announced paddy bonus of Rs 50 for a quintal. But the farmers are not satisfied and accused the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of cheating the farmers by failing to give Rs 270 per quintal of paddy as promised earlier.
Farmer leader Sanket Thakur said that a joint front of different farmers' bodies had been formed to fight for their rights. The front had decided to launch protests against the government for failing to keep its promise.
In the first phase, the front has decided to organise a state-wide bandh on November 25, Thakur said. The front leaders were overwhelmed with the response it has received while laying siege at the state and national highways on November 9.
The protest turned violent in Dhamtari district when agitating farmers set on fire seven police vehicles and ransacked some shops beside damaging a private bus.
The paddy procurement has started in the 1,577 centres that the state government had set across the state to purchase paddy from the farmers at minimum support price (MSP).
With the bonus of announced by the Union and state governments, farmers will now get Rs 1,050 per quintal for common grade and Rs 1,080 for Grade-A paddy.
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