LEFTISTS' DEMAND

Smut : Leftists demand steps against seed dealers

As the paddy cultivation at different areas in Cooch Behar district is suffering from smut the Left Front demanded steps against dealers who sell non-certified seeds.

Today, a team of leaders including Forward Bloc's Mr Udayan Guha, Mr Nripendra Nath Roy, Mr Debashis Banik, Mr Buddhananda Roy and the CPI-M's Mr Benubadal Chakraborty submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate.

In the memorandum they demanded raids at seed dealers' outlets to seize non-notified varieties of seeds. They also demanded the government to take initiatives for awareness drives among the farmers. As the price of the paddy came down in the open market the leaders demanded the government to buy paddy against support price.

District Forward Bloc secretary Mr Udayan Guha said the state agriculture minister agreed with them to arrange paddy seeds free of cost to the affected farmers in the next season. "We requested the district magistrate to prepare a list of smut affected growers of this district so that they can get the free seeds", he said.

The district magistrate reportedly assured the leaders about his co-operation over the demands.

In Dinhata, the smut affected growers demonstrated at the office of the sub-divisional officer demanding steps against dishonest seed dealers and compensation to the affected farmers.