Puri: Newspaper distributors, affiliated to Patitapaban Khabarkagaj Bitarana Sangha, have decided to boycott the 2019 General and Assembly elections alleging neglect by the Centre and state governments.
A decision to this effect was taken at a recent meeting of the Sangha here.
“The central and state governments have introduced several schemes for various sections of the society. But, they are yet to introduce any welfare scheme for the newspaper distributors. The distributors’ association has decided to boycott the 2019 elections to protest against this apathy,” said the Sangha in a press note.
The distributors’ association claimed that its members have been distributing newspapers to people by defying adverse weather conditions and other difficulties.
“The distributors often distribute newspapers by ignoring their bad health. But, the Centre and the state government have turned a blind eye to the difficulties of newspaper distributors. We have put forth our demands before the district administration several times but to no avail,” added the press note.
The association has decided to inform its decisions to other newspaper distributors’ association in state and seek their cooperation in this regard.
Newspaper distributors Shantanu Kumar Sahu, Baikuntha Parida, Dillip Mohanty, Karpura Mohanty, Banamali Deo, Bhagirathi Nayak, Phitu Samal, Kanhu Pradhan, Sura Sahu, Benudhar Sahu and Pratap Sahu were present at the meeting.
