Odisha Bandh Today: Impact On Schools, Colleges, Banks And Government Offices Explained

Odisha: Today in Odisha, farmers' organization Nav Nirman Krishak Sangathan (NKS) has called a bandh in the entire state. This bandh started at 6 am and will continue till 2 pm. Farmers angry over the paddy procurement system say that they are not getting the right price and the interference of middlemen in the system is increasing.

The state unit of Congress has also supported this bandh. Preparations for protests have started appearing in many districts since morning.

Why was there a need to call a bandh?

Farmers say that paddy is not being procured properly in the markets. There is a delay in payment at many places and the real farmer is suffering losses due to middlemen. Apart from this, there is also resentment regarding installation of smart electricity meters, heavy fines for pollution certificates and changes in employment schemes.

Will schools be open today?

No clear order has come from the government regarding the closing of schools. However, some private schools may decide on holidays or online classes at their own level. Therefore, parents are being advised to get information from the school before sending their children.

What should children and parents keep in mind?

Due to the bandh, services like buses and autos may be affected. There may also be jams or obstructions on many roads. For students who are going to school, it would be better for them to leave before normal time so that they do not get late.

What effect can it have on common people?

Protests and rallies are likely to take place in many parts of the state. Its effect:

• At markets and shops
• On the functioning of government offices
• At banks and petrol pumps
• On bus and train services

May fall. The number of employees may also remain less in some offices.

What steps has the government taken?

The state government has asked collectors and administrative officers of all the districts to remain alert. The Home Department has given instructions that shops, offices or petrol pumps should not be forcibly closed and law and order should be maintained.

Where can the demonstrations take place?

The farmers' organization has said that they will protest outside the collector office, RTO office, electricity department office and PACS centers. Protest can be expressed by placing sacks of paddy at some places.

What are the demands of the farmers?

The main demands of the farmers are:

• Input assistance of Rs 800 per quintal to every farmer
• Excluding middlemen and mill owners from paddy procurement
• Withdrawal of smart meter scheme
• Reducing fines being imposed in the name of pollution certificate
• Opposition to the new employment scheme being replaced by MNREGA

Organization convenor Akshay Kumar has said that hospitals, ambulances and medicine shops will remain out of the bandh.