The 11th State Conference of the Odisha Agricultural and Rural Workers’ Union concluded successfully at Jaleswar of Balasore district with a call to intensify struggles for the rights of agricultural and rural workers. The conference resolved to organise across the state of Odisha to strengthen protests against the rising prices of petroleum products, cooking gas and essential commodities on June 9, 2026. Along with this, the conference set a target of enrolling 50,000 members, forming village committees and expanding the organisation into new areas. It also resolved to organise a nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement on August 10, demanding the withdrawal of the “VB-G RAM G” scheme and the restoration of the MGNREGA Act along with the CITU and the Kisan Sabha.

The conference observed that the condition of agriculture and agricultural workers has become increasingly critical in the state. Capitalist relations in rural areas have further strengthened and a newly emerging rural rich class is increasingly controlling the social and economic life of villages; this has deeply affected the agricultural sector and led to a rapid increase in the number of agricultural workers. Small and marginal farmers are being forced to sell their land because of poverty and economic distress. While in 1961 there were 33 agricultural workers for every 100 cultivators, after the 2011 Census the number rose to 121 workers for every 100 farmers.

As a result of this growing workforce and lack of employment opportunities in rural areas, workers are migrating not only into agriculture but also into brick kilns, construction work, contract labour and migrant labour. Most of them continue to survive as sharecroppers, agricultural workers, and rural workers together constituting nearly 40% of the rural population and more than 80% among cultivators. Due to lack of capital, they are compelled to depend on private lenders and microfinance institutions.

For cultivators, government subsidies rarely reach them and banks/co-operative societies often deny them loans. Consequently, crop losses and distress sales frequently push them into extreme hardship and even suicide.

The conference strongly criticised the BJP government at the Centre and in the State, alleging that corporate–Hindutva domination has become stronger during this period. The country is passing through a serious economic crisis, resulting in shrinking employment opportunities.

According to the speakers, governments are handing over mines, forests, water resources, public sector enterprises and national assets to corporate interests. The Odisha government was also accused of violating the 'Forest Rights Act' and the 'PESA Act' to displace tribal communities from their ancestral lands.

The “Sijimali” police excesses on tribal people of Koraput District were cited as the best example and were mentioned by all the speakers. The conference stated that the Central Government has betrayed agricultural and rural workers by weakening the legal guarantee of employment under MGNREGA and replacing it with the “VB-G RAM G” scheme. It was also pointed out that the number of migrant and bonded workers has sharply increased in Odisha. Allocations for social security schemes have been reduced and many genuine beneficiaries are being excluded on various pretexts.

Speakers also warned that while the condition of agricultural and rural workers remains miserable, communal forces are trying to divert public anger through religious polarisation. Democratic rights, organisations, and individuals protesting against government policies are allegedly facing administrative repression and attacks.

The 11th Odisha State Conference was held at Jaleswar Bada Bazar in Balasore district on May 23 and 24. The conference also commemorated the historic "Food-for-Work" Movement organised by the CPI(M) at Jaleswar in 1968. During that movement, the then state government opened fire on thousands of protesting hungry people, leading to the martyrdom of Com. Siba and Com. Sadha. The conference, organised at Jaleswar Bada Bazar, recalled the significance of that historic struggle.

To make the conference successful, the organisation carried out an extensive campaign covering more than "50 villages" and contacting over "one thousand families", while also collecting financial contributions. Despite severe summer heat, activists and leaders actively participated in the campaign.

The town was decorated with wall writing and red flags, transforming it into a “Red Town.” A massive rally started from "Jaleswar  Bazar" and marched to the meeting venue at Nabatan Tribal Ground. Tribal women and men dancing to the beat of “Madal” made the procession lively and energetic.

The public meeting was presided over by Com. Sisir Hui, All India General Secretary. Comrade B. Venkat congratulated the people for organising such a massive gathering in a town like Jaleswar and called for intensifying struggles for land, housing, employment and social security. He also criticised the BJP government for reducing allocations to welfare schemes while handing over national resources to corporate houses.

All India Joint Secretary Tushar Ghosh described the present condition of agricultural workers and sharply criticised the anti-people policies of the BJP government. He stated that wages are not increasing while prices continue to rise and the value of the rupee is falling against the American Dollar. He also criticised what he described as pro-imperialist policies aligned with the United States and Israel, arguing that such policies threaten the sovereignty of the country.

Former editor of "Samyabadi" and CPI(M) State Secretariat member Com. Santosh Das presented a fact-based analysis of the conditions of farmers, agricultural workers and rural workers in the state. He highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation, the spread of communalism and the growing danger of communal violence. He strongly demanded recognition of sharecroppers as "real farmers." He also called for increasing old-age pensions to Rs 3,500 per month, raising assistance under the Subhadra Scheme to Rs 50,000 annually instead of Rs 10,000, providing 300 units of free electricity and enhancing daily wages to Rs 700 in government works.

Odisha State General Secretary Com. Nirmal Nayak spoke about the major challenges before agricultural and rural workers and emphasised the responsibilities of the organisation in the present period. He reviewed the struggles organised in recent years and called for building stronger movements in the future.

Several other leaders including State President Com. Bikartana Kabi, Reception Committee Chairman Com. Dilip Kumar Giri, Secretary Com. Diptiman Acharya, Treasurer Com. Akhaya Kumar Mishra, Kisan Sabha State President Com. Sitanshu Senapati, General Secretary Com. Jambeswar Samantray, Com. Prafulla Padhi and OSSTA Balasore District President Com. Manoranjan Das also addressed the public.

Com. B. Venkat felicitated Com. Indumati Nandi, wife of the late Com. Himanshu Nandy, one of the main leaders of the 1968 food movement, and Com. Babulal Barik, who had participated in the movement. The Reception Committee also felicitated Com. B. Venkat, Com. Tushar Ghosh and Com. Himanshu Das. The open session began with “Gana Sangeet” and cultural performances related to people’s movements under the direction of Diptiman Acharya.

More than one hundred delegates from all districts where the organisation functions participated in the delegates’ session. Senior leader and Odisha State Vice-President Com. Bidyadhara Jena hoisted the organisation flag. After paying floral tributes at the martyrs’ memorial, various committees were formed to conduct the conference. State President Com. Bikartan Kabi moved the condolence resolution, after which the first session was adjourned.

The second session began in the evening with the inaugural speech by Com. Tushar Ghosh. He stressed the need to strengthen the organisation in Odisha, drawing attention to the rural structure of agricultural workers and the exploitative nature of the rural rich class. He stressed that regional issues must become the basis of organising struggles in Odisha.

After this, State General Secretary Com. Nirmal Nayak placed the political-organisational report. The report reviewed important international and national developments, highlighted the problems faced by agricultural workers in Odisha, and assessed the organisation’s expansion and strength over the last three years. Twenty-eight delegates participated in the discussion on the draft political and organisational reports.

After replies from the State Secretary, the report was unanimously adopted. Greetings were delivered by West Bengal State Committee leader Com. Himanshu Das and Odisha Kisan Sabha Secretary Com. Jambeswar Samantray. CITU State Vice President Com. Dibya Singh Nayak, Lawyers' Union State Leader Com. Dipak Mohapatra and SFI State President Com. Chandra Kamila also addressed the gathering.

A resolution moved by Com. Sisir Hui to rename the "Odisha Khet Mazdoor Union" as the "Odisha Kheta and Gramina Workers Union" was seconded by Com. Nityananda Parida and unanimously adopted.

Resolutions against war, for social justice and for the restoration of the MGNREGA Act were also unanimously passed.

The Credentials Committee report presented by Com. Sarat Chandra Behera was approved unanimously.

In his concluding speech, Com. B. Venkat called for strengthening the organisation across the state, intensifying struggles, expanding membership and activating committees at all levels.

The conference unanimously elected Com. Nirmal Nayak as State President and Com. Nityananda Parida as State General Secretary. Com. Prafulla Padhi, Com. Sisir Hui, Com. Harish Chandra Singh and Com. Dusasan Jena were Elected as Vice President while Com. Giridhari Nath, Com. Jayanti Moharana (W) and Com. Bipin Nayak were elected as Joint Secretaries.

Altogether, a 31-member State Committee was unanimously elected.