Reason... Patra had earlier promised to the family members of a farmer, who committed suicide, that he would make arrangements for a bore well on the paddy field of the deceased farmer.
A farmer, Gobind Sahu of Ostapada village under Ranpur block in Nayagarh district had ended his life after not getting enough water to raise his paddy crops. At that time, Patra had expressed his sympathy to the bereaved family members of the deceased farmer and promised them that he would dig up a bore well on their paddy field.
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“After coming to know about the incident, I visited Gobind Sahu’s house and interacted with his family members. They told me that he ended his life as his crops were damaged due to scarcity of water. He was even trying to dig up a bore well and was arranging money for that. For the peace of the departed soul, I had then promised them to dig up a bore well on their land,” said Patra.
“Keeping my word, I along with local leader Surama Padhi and local people reached Ostapada village at 7 am and since then the work of digging up a bore well started,” he added.
It is said that the bore well could resolve the water problem which is faced by the farmers during the summer season.
Expressing his happiness, Bikram Sahu, son of the deceased farmer, said, “He had promised to get a bore well dug up for us. Today, he has kept his promise. It would end the water problem of the farmers of our locality. I would like to thank him for his noble gesture.”
Chamru is survived by his two sons who are working as migrant labourers in Gujarat.
According to sources, Chamru had taken a loan to harvest crops on his two acres of agricultural land. Due to the unseasonal rains, his crops got damaged.
Heartbroken over the crop loss and the pressure of the loan, Chamru took the extreme step and consumed poison.
Soon, his family members rushed him to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital. However, he died while undergoing treatment.
“He took a loan to harvest crops. He was heartbroken after his crops were damaged due to the unseasonal rains. He was expecting to get 40 bags of paddy but got only three due to crop failure. Then we heard he committed suicide,” said Charu’s relative.
Another local said, “Charu was a very poor man and completely depended on agriculture to make ends meet. He was under mental pressure due to the crop loss and took the extreme step.”
The leaders of the BJP Krushak Morcha alleged that the state government has drastically failed in irrigating farmlands in its 23-year-long rule. Due to the lack of irrigation facilities and deficit rainfall, the farmers in some pockets are facing drought-like situation. In some other pockets where paddy has already been harvested, farmers are forced to resort to distress sale because the government is yet to open paddy procurement centres.
Demanding justice for farmers, the leaders submitted a six-point charter of demands to the Governor, urging his intervention.
While briefing the media, the state president of BJP Krushak Morcha, Maheswar Sahu said, “It is unfortunate that the government couldn’t provide irrigation in farmlands in its 23-year-long rule. It has failed for which, this year farmers have faced crop loss due to deficit rainfall. Unable to bear the crop loss, three farmers have ended their lives this month.”
No comments have been received from the concerned authorities.
Affected farmers have demanded that the government declare their affected areas as drought-hit and pay compensation for the crop loss.
Amid all this reported mess, a farmer, allegedly debt-ridden, committed suicide in Ranpur area of Nayagarh district on Sunday, after he was heartbroken to see the crop damage on his farmland. The deceased was identified as Gobinda Sahu of Ostapada.
Bikram Sahu, son of the deceased farmer alleged that the crops in the farmland got damaged for want of rain while the existing irrigation facility is inadequate enough to cater to the farming. “My father was shocked to see the damaged crops, as he had borrowed and taken loans worth over Rs 1 lakh. He was always worried about paying off the debt. The damaged crops dashed all his hope of a bumper harvest,” Bikram lamented.
Crop damage was also reported from other parts of the district. The deplorable condition of the crops at the time of harvesting came to the fore on Monday when hundreds of farmers holding damaged paddy plants staged protests near the collectorate. Acres of farmlands in Muthagadia and Bhatasahi panchayats in Nayaragh are facing drought-like situations. Hundreds of affected farmers tried to storm into the collectorate, demanding immediate arrangement of water for the parched farmlands.
They alleged that no water is coming from the nearby dam. Narmada Goud, a woman farmer of Ranpur lamented that the crops got blighted due to want of water.
Nayagarh Collector Rabindranath Sahu said that steps were taken to channelize water into the farmlands from a nearby dram. “Water had been released under police protection earlier. The water level in the dam is low. We will take steps to save the crops,” he added.
The situation is no different in some parts of Sorada and other parts of Ganjam. Acres of farmlands are cracked open due to insufficient water. As there is little chance of crop harvesting, some farmers have allowed cattle to graze on the farmlands. Drought-like situation was reported from many villages including Binjigiri, Bahadapadar, Kajuri Palli, Nuagan and Badagada.
Udaynath Mahakud, a farmer of Binjigiri, said that rain has vanished and farmlands are dry. Others said that no irrigation facilities have been made in the villages.”Crops always depend on monsoon rains. If a check dam had been built across Rola creek, at least 25 acres of farmlands would have been irrigated, they noted. Though the farmers had apprised the administration of the need for irrigation, no step has been taken in this direction so far, they rued.
The condition of acres of farmlands in Khalikote and Ganjam blocks is no different. Farmers here lamented that they could not irrigate their farmlands in the absence of irrigation facilities. Five panchayats like Sanramchandrapur, Jharodi, Radhagobindapur, Ramgad, and Subalaya under Ganjam block are also affected by drought. Bhabagrahi Nahak, a farmer of Ganjam said that the farmers are now worried about their survival after crops got damaged due to lack of rain.
Hemanta Nahak of the same area said that the government promised irrigation and came to power, but later did nothing. “In the 2024 elections, people will boycott elections,” he warned.
Upset over the lack of irrigation, they have decided to boycott the upcoming elections.
According to sources, Parida had sown paddy in two acres of his land. He was expecting a good harvest so that he could repay all his debts. However, his hopes were dashed due to heavy crop loss.
Under stress, he reportedly consumed poison following which he was rushed to Dharmashala Community Health Centre (CHC). After preliminary treatment, he was referred to Cuttack-based SCB Medical College and Hospital for better treatment.
However, Parida breathed his last while undergoing treatment at SCB. The farmer’s death sparked outrage in the village as family members accused a stone mafia of illegally running a stone quarry and blasting near the paddy fields that destroyed the standing paddy crops.
“He had borrowed money for paddy cultivation and was under stress due to crop loss. He had been suffering crop loss for the last few years. A stone mafia has been running a quarry near the paddy fields because of which cultivation has been affected,” alleged Parida’s daughter Jhunulata Parida.
Similarly, Parida’s brother Paramanand alleged, “The water required for paddy fields is drying due to the stone quarry. We have been facing losses due to the stone quarry for the last 4-5 years. We have complained in this connection, but no one pays heed to our issues.”
The deceased farmer has been identified as Dasarathi Nayak, a resident of Mundapada village under Athmallik block in Angul.
According to family members’ allegations, an elephant was found dead near Nayak’s farmland days ago. In this connection, the forest department officials had taken him to their office. He was released only on Monday evening. And, he attempted to end his life in the night by consuming poison.
Finding him in a serious condition, the family members rescued him and rushed him to the government hospital in Boudh. As his condition deteriorated, the doctors referred him to VIMSAR, Burla. However, on the way to Burla, he breathed his last.
“The forest department officials had taken my husband to their office. They inflicted torture on him there. Because of this, he took the extreme step,” alleged the deceased’s wife.
Demanding compensation of Rs 10lakh, villagers and family members staged a demonstration in front of Kiakata forest department office in Athamallik. They also blocked the nearby road, disrupting traffic for a couple of hours. Later they withdrew their strike and roadblock following the assurance from Athamallik Tehsildar Jashobanta Dehury.
“We will consider the case seriously and take steps as per the rules. Police will also investigate into the allegations of humiliation and action will be taken against whoever is found guilty,” said Dehury.
(Reported by Deepak Adar)
Alleging they (BJD) have deliberately hidden data, the grand old party and the Saffron party have started cornering the conch party.
Recently, Dambaru Harijan, a small time farmer of Nakulaguda village under Binshipur police limits in Koraput district allegedly ended his life by consuming pesticide.
He had taken a loan of Rs 70,000 to raise crops. He took the extreme step allegedly after his standing crops got damaged in low pressure-induced rains.
Like Dambaru Harijan, there are scores of other farmer suicide allegations which have rocked the State several times in the past.
In a written reply to a question raised by Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka in the Parliament, Union Agriculture Minister had said there had been no farmer suicide incidents reported from Odisha in the year 2017, 18, 19 and 2020. It has also been clear that the State government didn’t share figures of farmer suicide incidents occurred in 2021 with the NCRB.
But the state had registered five, 23 and 20 farmer suicide cases in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively, said the Union Minister.
Pertinent to mention here that the State government had accepted 48 farmer suicides during the period from 2014 to 2016. But it is denying occurrence of any such cases in the next five years commencing from 2017.
The BJP alleged that the family members of the deceased farmers have been deprived of getting assistance from the State and Central governments.
“By hiding data on farmer suicide, the government is depriving the deceased farmers’ family members from receiving the benefits from the Central government,” said BJP Spokesperson Dillip Mohanty.
Congress MLA Suresh Routray said the State government has done a massive injustice to the farmers by concealing the data. “The State has been placed on the top in the NCRB report with respect to assault with the intent to outrage the modesty of women. The State has also topped the list in minor girls going missing. Had it been topped the list in farmer suicide, it would have proved to be the last nail in the coffin,” added Routray.
Reacting to the allegations, BJD leader Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik said, “The allegations raised by the Opposition parties are baseless. They are not in a position to accept the truth. Laying emphasis on agriculture, Naveen Patnaik is doing overall development of farmers.”
Meanwhile, Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan has warned to take to the streets over the government hiding farmer suicide cases in the past five years.
“In Telengana and Andhra Pradesh, the respective governments are giving Rs 5 lakh and 7 lakh respectively to the families of farmers who have committed suicide. The Odisha government is trying to escape from having to pay to the deceased farmers’ families. We are going to organise a rally on October 14 and we will then demand the government to recognise farmer suicide cases," said Chairman, Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan, Akshay Kumar.
The deceased farmer has been identified as Ramesh Raha (56).
According to sources, Raha suffered huge loss after his 60 packets of paddy got damaged due to rain and he had to sold them at a very cheap price to miller last year. Like previous year this year too, he suffered loss as his crops got damaged due to rains and pest attack.
Unable to bear the loss, Raha consumed pesticide on July 20. He was immediately rushed to MKCG hospital in Berhampur. However, he died on Saturday while undergoing treatment, sources informed.
“My husband suffered loss due to Pest attack on standing paddy crop and rains. He had also borrowed loan. Disappointed over crop loss, he consumed pesticide,” said Subasini Raha, wife of the deceased farmer.
“My father consumed pesticide after he suffered crop loss for two successive years. Marred by crop loss and loan burden, he ended his life by consuming pesticide,” said Sanjay Raha, son of the deceased farmer.
However, local police and district administration could not be contacted to comment over the matter.
The deceased farmer has been identified as Bhagaban Juadi.
According to sources, Bhagaban consumed poison after he failed to repay loan amounting to Rs 8 lakh.
He was immediately rushed to Burla hospital where he died during treatment, sources informed.
"My father had taken Rs 8 lakh loan from banks and local money lenders. Unable to repay the loan, he took the extreme step by consuming poison," said deceased farmer's son.
As per reports, Samarendra Kundu, a resident of Khoerda village under Bhograi Block of the district earned his living from agriculture. Kundu had taken around Rs 12 lakh loan from different sources, including a bank, cooperative credit society and private persons. He had spent the money on paddy cultivation which later got damaged during the low-pressure induced rainfall earlier this month.
Kundu was under depression for many days following the loss of the ripe crop. Feeling helpless over the debt burden and the huge loss, Kundu allegedly consumed poison around a week back. His family members rushed him to a nearby hospital in the district from where he was later moved to a hospital in Cuttack when his condition deteriorated.
He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Cuttack hospital today.
"He did not own any land. He was doing farming on crop-share arrangements with the owner of a land. He incurred huge losses following the damage to the crop during bad weather conditions. He took the extreme step of ending his life owing to the pressure of the debt burden," said Kundu's wife Shantilata.
On the other hand, Revenue Official in Kamarda, Basanti Hembram said, "I have no information about what pushed him to take such an extreme step. What I have gathered from others, he might have ended his life due to the crop loss."
According to the family members, Kailash, who had grown paddy on his two acres of farmland, had gone to see the crops on Sunday morning after the cyclone Jawad triggered heavy rain. He was very depressed after seeing the extent of damage to his standing paddy crops and consumed pesticide, alleged the family members.
“He had gone to his farmland in the morning and was very upset after seeing the damage caused to his crop by the cyclone. He then bought pesticide and consumed it. The family members learned about it when he started vomiting,” said Deepak Dalai, a relative of the deceased.
“We dialled 108 and rushed him to a hospital in Patrapur. However, about half an hour later, the doctor pronounced him dead,” he added.
The reactions of the district administration, as well as the police, could not be obtained on the matter.
Cyclone Jawad that reached near Odisha coast near Puri on Sunday noon, moved towards the West Bengal coast. Under the impact of the storm, several coastal districts in the State experienced heavy rainfall. The farming community in the State bore the maximum brunt of the heavy downpour in this harvesting season.
Earlier on Saturday, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena had said that the assessment of the crop loss caused by cyclone Jawad-induced rainfall will be done within a week after its impact is over.
The deceased has been identified as Laxmi Narayan Jena who, as per reports, had taken loan to grow paddy on two acres of land.
However, his crop suffered extensive damage due to pests attack and Jena incurred huge losses that reportedly sent him into depression.
Apparently under severe depression, Jena allegedly consumed poison in a bid to end his life. He was initially rushed to the Jaleswar Hospital. However, he was later taken to the SCB Hospital in Cuttack after his condition deteriorated. He succumbed while on the way.
Dillip Kumar Jena, the Son of Laxmi Narayan, said, “We had grown paddy on 2 acres of land and for this we had taken a loan of Rs 1 lakh. However, after Chakada Pest ruined our crop we suffered huge losses. My father was under tremendous mental stress following the crop loss. Unable to cope with the situation, he consumed poison,” said Dillip.
Speaking to reporters, the Block Agriculture Officer, Sanjay Kumar Rout said, “We do not have any information pertaining to any suicide by a farmer. Neither has any of his family members lodged a complaint with this office.”
Earlier in August this year, a farmer in Sambalpur committed suicide allegedly over distress sell of paddy. The family of the deceased had alleged that unseasonal rain caused flooding of the farm land, damaging the crop.
The loan they had taken for the crop became a burden and it was reportedly the reason that drove the farmer to commit the extreme act.
As per reports, the deceased farmer, identified as Rechaka Banchor (60) of Kadobera village under Tureikela block, allegedly consumed poison on Thursday.
His family members rushed him to the Kantabanji hospital initially. However, when his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital. Reports stated that Rechaka died while undergoing treatment at the hospital late on the same night. “My father consumed poison yesterday as he was mentally disturbed over crop failure on account of scanty rainfall,” said Pavitra, Rechaka’s bereaved son on Friday. The family members alleged that the bulk of their cotton and paddy crops got damaged due to less rainfall this monsoon season.
Rechaka had also taken loan for agriculture purpose and was worried for the past few days over the loss of crop.
However, no officials from the local administration could be contacted for reaction over the tragic incident.
It is pertinent to mention here that not only Bolangir, several districts in Odisha are witnessing severe deficit in rainfall so far this year.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had taken a review of the drought-like situation in the State. Patnaik had directed the authorities to prepare a ‘contingency crop plan’ for the farmers to mitigate the situation.
Patnaik had stated that agricultural activities are likely to get affected in view of the deficient rainfall in 213 blocks of the State. He directed officials in the agriculture department to closely monitor the situation on a daily basis.
The deceased has been identified as Kaibalya Rohidas.
According to sources, Rohidas was under severe mental stress due to the huge losses he had suffered due to crop failure. The problem was aggravated when he faced difficulties in selling his paddy stock. While he produced 2 quintal paddy in Rabi season, he was given a token to sell only 45 kg of his produce. Later, he suffered a huge loss by selling the remaining of the paddy stock at a very cheap price, sources added.
After running out of options, Rohidas allegedly consumed poison on Wednesday. He was immediately rushed to a hospital at Burla where he breathed his last while undergoing treatment on Friday, sources informed.
"My father suffered Rs 1.5 lakh loss due to failure in crop this season. Later on, he could not sell whatever was produced. He was under severe mental stress," said Dasarath Rohidas, son of the deceased farmer.
"Many farmers suffered crop loss this season due to unexpected rains. Many also resorted to distress selling of paddy. Kaibalya Rohidas might have taken the extreme step under mental stress," said Ashok Nath, president of a local farmers' body.
The deceased, identified as Padmabati Muduli had consumed poison on Friday night and succumbed while undergoing treatment at a hospital today.
Family members of the deceased woman farmer said she was under mental stress due to loan burden.
According to family members, she had taken Rs 3 lakh loan from a private financial company for paddy cultivation in her two acres of land.
"But due to crop loss she was unable to arrange the money to repay the loan. Staff of the private financial company used to threaten her with locking up her house is she fails to repay the loan. Last night while her husband was sleeping in another room, she consumed poison. She was rushed to a hospital, but she died today," informed family sources.
Last month, farmer suicides over crop loss and loan burden were reported in Sambalpur and Bolangir districts.
As per reports, the deceased, identified as Bhagat Sagaria of Kuliadora village was undergoing treatment at the Bolangir district headquarters hospital after he consumed poison on Thursday. Sagaria succumbed while being shifted to the Burla hospital for further treatment, informed sources.
Family of Sagaria said he was under mental stress after his crop cultivated in 10 acres of land was destroyed due to scanty rainfall. Besides, he had borrowed Rs 1 lakh from money lenders for agricultural activities and was under tension for not being able to repay the loan following the crop loss, the family informed.
As per reports, Sagaria consumed poison at his farmland yesterday.
Earlier this week, Sarat Majhi of Kamemunda under Tureikela block in the district had allegedly killed himself due to crop failure by consuming pesticide.
According to sources, Mallik was under mental stress as he was unable to repay loan. He had reportedly taken loans from private money lenders for his daughter's marriage, said family members.
"Mallik had hoped to repay the loan through current year harvest while he suffered crop damage in the current winter season. Disturbed over all this, he took the extreme step," said Sarpanch, Hemant Kumar Sahu.
"As Yudhistir was the sole earning member, the family should be provided with some financial assistance from the government," Sahu added.
"We don't have land of our own. My husband ended his life as he was under stress due to the loan burden which he had taken for our daughter's marriage" said Draupadi Mallik, wife of the deceased.
Meanwhile, the district administration officials could not be contacted the sharecropper's death.
As per reports, the deceased, identified as Gobardhan Barik of Julat Khaliatikra village was under mental duress after his crops in five acre land were damaged by brown planthopper pest last year followed by hailstones this year.
Family members of Barik alleged that due to crop loss he was unable to repay loans and therefore, he was under stress.
"He (Gobardhan) attempted suicide by consuming poison on Tuesday. Later he succumbed while undergoing treatment at Burla hospital," said Shatrughna Barik, younger brother of the deceased farmer.
Earlier, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh, quoting the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, had stated that there has been an increase of 142 percent in farmer suicides in Odisha.
Singh had stated the rate of farmer suicides in India has declined by 9.77 percent in comparison to 2015. However, the picture of Odisha is completely different as the suicide rate of tenant farmers or sharecroppers has increased by 142 percent as compared to 2015.
In total, 50 farmers had committed suicide in 2015 out of which 27 were sharecroppers. But in 2016, while the total figure was 121, the number of suicides by sharecroppers nearly quadrupled to 101, informed Singh quoting NCRB data.
He further stated that there has been an increase in farmer suicides in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat as well in contrast to other States.
As per sources, Saha had taken a loan of Rs 40,000 from State Bank of India, Rs 18,000 from Axis Bank and Rs 30000 from other private money lenders for cultivation on his 3-acre land.
However, due to deficit rainfall in the area Saha suffered a huge crop loss. His family members alleged that Sahu was under severe mental stress on account of massive crop loss. Finding no other means to repay his loans, Sahu took the extreme step and consumed pesticides in his field this morning, they alleged.
Saha was rushed to Bargarh Hospital in a critical condition where doctors declared him dead. Meanwhile, the district administration could not be contacted over the issue.
An important decision regarding the proposal was taken during a meeting presided by the Chief Secretary AP Padhi. The minutes of the meeting stated that the state government is considering imposing a cess on sale of agriculture land to create a corpus fund which along with budgetary provisions will provide assistance to farmers in distress. The initial collections from the fund could be used for ex-gratia in cases of unnatural deaths of farmers, the minutes revealed.
The move comes in the wake of several farmer suicide incidents like that of Brunda Sahu & Hadu Bagarti allegedly due to crop loss and financial burden leading to a flurry of controversies.
The decision for setting up the fund meanwhile, has received mixed reactions from political parties and the farming community.
"Till now the Swaminathan Commission's findings and proposals have not been implemented. Similarly market conditions, insurance schemes are not conducive and there is also a lack of appropriate infrastructure. If we do not ensure these primary requirements first and talk about setting up a fund then it will not solve the problems,” a farmer leader said.
The BJP has welcomed the decision of the state government but has suggested some other recommendations.
"The decision to convert agricultural land into non-agricultural and collect cess from the transaction is a good step but the state government should take immediate measures to introduce amendments to Land Reforms Act," State BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said.
It is to be noted that the Section 6(2) of the act prevents land owners from leasing out land for sharecropping and hence the state government is also considering a move to remove the provision entirely.
Makardhwaj Behera, a farmer from Lanji village under Khariar block committed suicide by hanging himself after his standing crops in nearly five acres of land were destroyed for which he was in mental duress for the past couple of weeks, the family members alleged.
Makardwaj's death sparked off resentment with locals staging road blockade demanding compensation of Rs 20 lakh and a house for the family. The road blockade was lifted after district administration provided an assistance of Rs 10,000 from the district Red Cross Fund.
In another incident, Bargarh farmer Govind Acharya committed suicide by consuming poison yesterday allegedly over crop loss due to pests. Acharya was initially rushed to Bargarh and later shifted to Burla where he died today morning.
Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over the 12 farmer suicides in 50 days in Bargarh district in the state, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday took suo-motu cognizance to seek a report and action taken by government for the relief and rehabilitation of bereaved families.
The NHRC took the step following a media report on the death of a farmer on December 15 and directed Odisha chief secretary to submit a report within four weeks.
The NHRC has sought a detailed report and action taken by government for the relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.
Also Read: Bargarh farmer suicide: Collector submits report to State Govt
In a statement, the Commission has observed that a number of suicides by farmers and farm labourers are being reported from several parts of the country including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Chhattisgarh.
Such incidents are being taken seriously by the NHRC which has been stressing on proper steps by Centre as well as respective State governments to ensure that the crop loss affected farmers are not forced to resort to any extreme step.
https://youtu.be/lPtgrkgSwEE
The deceased, identified as Gaurang Barik, was under severe mental stress due to his failure to repay loans that he had taken from banks and private lenders for farm-related purposes.
He had taken a loan of Rs 12,000 from Gobindpur society, Rs 15,000 from Oupada cooperative bank, Rs 40,000 from Bandhan bank and Rs 21,000 from Spandan organisation, stated family members of the deceased.
Barik's wife stated her husband was a sharecropper and had cultivated crops in nearly five acres of land. Following untimely rains and pest attack, the crops got damaged adding to the woes of Barik.
He hung himself from a tree yesterday afternoon, she added.
Police have launched probe after registering a case of unnatural death when Barik's wife lodged a complaint.
Also Read: Modi govt creating facilities to double farmers income
In March, a farmer of Baliapata village in Balasore district allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison.
The deceased farmer, identified as Ramachandra Bara, allegedly consumed poison due to his failure to repay loan following crop loss.
https://youtu.be/V9-Na-wlf_Y
While the wife, Laxmi Barad died on the spot, her husband Kabiraj Barad has been admitted to the MKCG Hospital here in critical condition.
Sources said Kabiraj was a sharecropper farmer and also worked as a daily labourer to eke out a living. However, all his crops got damaged in the recent unseasonal rains.
Harassed by crop loss, debt burden coupled with acute poverty, Kabiraj and his wife took the extreme step, family members alleged.
"We don't have our own land. We work as sharecroppers and daily laborers. All vegetable crops cultivated on the farm land were damaged due to rains. But I had no clue about the loans the couple had taken," said Narayan, father of Kabiraj.
In written reply to a question, Rout stated out of the 16 farmers who had allegedly committed suicide in the financial year 2016-17, 12 had loans outstanding. Similarly, eight out of the 14 farmers who allegedly committed suicide during the period April 2017 till date, had taken loans.
As per the report, in the current financial year most farmer deaths were reported from Bargarh. Six farmers had committed suicide in the district, out of which three had taken loan for agricultural purposes.
One each among the three deceased farmers in Ganjam and two farmers in Sambalpur, who have committed suicide during this period, had also availed loan for cultivation.
Besides, three farmers, who committed suicide, one each in Dhenkanal, Jajpur & Rayagada districts, had also taken loans, read the report.
Rout also said that share-croppers in the State might be committing suicides due to exploitation by the land owners as even during crop loss they are under the obligation to give a certain amount of their produce to the land owner.
"In some places share-croppers are cultivating land of other persons with an agreement to give five to seven quintals of produce per acre. He is bound to give the agreed amount of produce even during crop loss. Farmers could be committing suicide due to such exploitation," said the Minister.
In a bid to check such exploitation, the government has announced agriculture input subsidy to the share-croppers or the actual cultivators, he added.
Also Read: Odisha consistently ranks among top in attracting investments: Naveen
While the State government had earlier denied any links of farmer deaths with crop loss and loan burden; it became opposition’s target after the Agriculture minister revealed the stats.
"They should accept farmer suicides and admit the reasons rather than presenting various false reports. At least, they agreed farmers had taken loans," said Congress MLA Nabakishore Das.
A farmer could not have committed suicide without any pressure or despair; the truth will come to the fore one day, he added.
Earlier on November 29, in a written reply to a question of Congress MLA Bhujabal Majhi, Rout had said a total of 11 farmer suicide cases and seven alleged ones were probed in 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. However, the probe report mentions no deaths related to farming issues, Rout had maintained.
https://youtu.be/6YibPRAv65c
According to reports, Arjun had earlier consumed poison yesterday and died while undergoing treatment in Bargarh hospital today.
Family members alleged that Arjun had taken a loan of Rs 60,000 from Lakhanpur society for paddy cultivation in nearly five acres of land.
However, he was in mental duress after the standing crops were damaged due to drought and subsequent pest attack in the district.
Sources said, so far nearly 10 farmers have committed suicide over alleged crop loss in Bargarh district this year.
Also Read: After torching crops, farmer ends life in Bargarh
Earlier, Brunda Sahu another farmer from Bargarh district had also committed suicide over alleged crop loss due to pest attack in the region.
Also Read: Reasons behind Bargarh farmer’s death not clear: Odisha Agriculture Minister
The death of Brunda Sahu had kicked off a major political storm with opposition parties including BJP and Congress targeting Odisha government over its failure to come to the rescue of farmers in the State.
Also Read: Farmer deaths: Dharmendra slams Odisha govt
https://youtu.be/psZ7RwIa-eI
Hikaka of Malisiripur of Bissamkatak block had consumed posion on November 26 over alleged crop loss and was undergoing treatment at local Christian hospital.
Also Read:Farmer suicide: Another farmer ends life in Bargarh
Family members alleged that Hikaka was in mental duress after the cotton and paddy crops that he had grown in nearly four acres and vegetables in two acres of land were destroyed by the pests.
Moreover, Hikaka had taken bank loan and also borrowed money from other sources for farming.
https://youtu.be/GhPLXNJ_EeU
Family members of the deceased, identified as Debendra Thapa of Khapasipalli village said he was under immense mental agony following crop damage in pest attack in two-and-half acres of his farm land.
Besides, Thapa had taken a personal loan of Rs 70,000 for agricultural purposes that he was unable to repay, family members added.
Under severe mental pressure Thapa consumed poison and died later while undergoing treatment at the Bargarh hospital, the family alleged.
Recently Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout said no cases of farmer suicides have been reported so far in the current financial year and the previous one as well.
In a written reply to a question of Congress MLA Bhujabal Majhi, the minister said in the Odisha Assembly that a total of 11 farmer suicide cases and seven alleged ones were probed in 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. However, the probe report mentions no death related to farming issues.
https://youtu.be/5Tjg3Nl578Q
According to reports, Gupte Rana of Kutumadula village attempted to end his life by consuming poison after brown plant hopper (BPH) attack damaged his crops in nearly six acres of land.
According to sources, Rana had also taken Rs 20,000 loan from private money lenders for farming and was in mental duress following the crop loss.
Similarly, Kuda Bag of Silalajhudungi village under Titlagarh block also attempted suicide over crop loss yesterday. He had availed loan from a co-operative society for paddy and cotton farming in nearly five acres of land.
Bag reportedly consumed pesticide over crop loss to end his life and was later admitted to Titlagarh hospital.
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The deceased farmer, identified as Pradeep Khamari of Behera village under Khuntapalli Panchayat, had reportedly cultivated paddy in his one and half acre land.
According to his family's allegations, Pradeep was under severe mental pressure due to Brown Plant Hopper attack resulting in huge crop loss following which he took the extreme step and consumed poison.
Rescued, Pradeep was immediately shifted to Bargarh Sadar Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.
Meanwhile, Bargarh MLA Debesh Acharya reached the hospital to pacify the family. State BJP Vice President Aswini Sadangi also expressed remorse and demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of the deceased.
In another incident, a 45-year-old farmer Kanhu Munda of Mundapada Rasanpur village under Maneswar block of Sambalpur district allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide. He was rushed to Sadar Hospital and died while undergoing treatment, sources said.
Kanhu's family claimed that he was forced to take the extreme step due to crop loss following unseasonal rains.
Similarly, farmer Manoj Singh of Kuarnkela village in Sundergarh district allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison over debt burden and crop loss due to pest attack.
The suicide is the 13th such case reported since October in Odisha.
https://youtu.be/PSHz-DnDuCk
Speaking on the sidelines of a discussion in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik said, “Across the country a trend is observed that farmers are taking their lives due to different reasons. But it has not been proved yet that agriculture is the sole reason behind their deaths.”
An expert organization has been appointed to undertake a study of farmer deaths so that changes to the policy can be made, he informed.
“Besides, farmers are taking up commercial farming these days, which is why they take agricultural loans at a higher rate. However, when they fail to repay the loans, they get disturbed mentally and take the extreme step,” the Union Agriculture Secretary explained.
He lauded the Odisha government’s work in agriculture sector and said the State's agricultural productivity is almost coming in line with the national average.
The Union Agriculture Secretary suggested farmers of the State to get involved in cultivating high-value horticulture crops.
https://youtu.be/rmxJsxvOigo
As Bhuyan was a sharecropper, he had not availed loan from any bank rather had borrowed a large sum of money from private lenders. He was reportedly under pressure of repaying the money after incessant rainfall damaged the crops, sources said.
Bhuyan's body was found early in the morning in his house by his family members. It is suspected that Bhuyan committed suicide by consuming pesticide as a packet was recovered near his body.
Meanwhile, Sadar police have reached the spot and the body has been sent for post mortem. Senior district administration officials said that a detailed probe will be conducted to ascertain the exact reason behind the farmer’s death.
Earlier on November 3, a farmer identified as Alaya Jena of Arendra village under Sanakhemundi block of Ganjam district had consumed poison over crop loss. He died while undergoing treatment on November 4.
Though Jena had used pesticides in his 2.5 acres land, pests had damaged the crops. Not being able to bear the loss he consumed poison, said family members.
Earlier on Wednesday, Agriculture minister Damodar Rout, citing the probe report on Brunda's death submitted by the district administration ruled out indebtedness as the cause behind the farmer’s death. The comments drew sharp criticism from both the opposition parties and Brunda's family members.
Brunda's daughter said "District administration did not carry out a detailed investigation. So how would they know about our personal debt? The entire state knows that my father died out of frustration after not getting due compensation for crop loss. So if the government conducts such probe then it is very saddening and unfortunate.”
The report by the Bargarh district administration stated that the immediate reasons which led Brunda to consume poison are not known either to his family members or his relatives. The report said that Brunda had also not taken loans from any bank or society but had availed loans of Rs 3 to 4 lakhs from private moneylenders for agriculture. Moreover, the deceased farmer also did not have any land of his own but rather cultivated about 16.05 acres of land out of which nearly 6.58 acres were affected by pests.
During the course of enquiry it was established that family members of the deceased could not name the moneylenders and neither could produce any documents related to it. So it seems that his death may not have been due to indebtedness, the report said.
However, such blatant denial by the Odisha government has not gone down well with the opposition parties.
"In the upcoming session of the Assembly, we will raise the farmer suicide issue and grill the government," Congress MLA Naba Das said.
Similarly, BJP also blamed the government saying that it has intentionally manipulated the report.
Taking a dig at Agriculture Minister's comments, Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "Does one essentially need to take loans for getting compensation. People in the government should stop making such irresponsible comments."
Taking the fight to the opposition, minister Rout today said that the saffron party is intentionally trying to gain political mileage from the issue but very soon the truth will be out in the open.
Dharmendra Pradhan has no moral authority to speak on this issue since he is busy in fighting against the rights and welfare of Odisha all along, he said.
The deceased identified as Radhakant Suna had consumed poison on November 12.
The family members of the deceased alleged that Radhakant had cultivated paddy crops in over four acres of land. While crops on two and a half acres were destroyed by pests, the rest were damaged due to drought. Unable to bear the loss and loan burden, he consumed poison, alleged family members.
Radhakant was rushed to the Bolangir district headquarters hospital (DHH) and later shifted to the Burla Medical College and Hospital. He succumbed while undergoing treatment at the hospital today.
https://youtu.be/KfpiCsB_sI8
“The farmers have used Thaimate pesticides due to lack of proper communication. I was surprised to know that many farmers have used Thaimate and similar pesticides that helps in spreading Brown Plant Hopper pest,” said Shekhawat.
Reacting to his statement, BJD leader Subash Singh questioned the basis of his claim. “When did the Union Minister turn into a research scholar, which committee has provided him the report? A team of scientists must provide the report whether the pesticide is apt or not,” said Singh.
Shekhawat during his visit to Bargarh district went to Kalapani village to meet the family of deceased farmer Brunda Sahu, who had committed suicide on November 1 allegedly over crop loss due to pest attack. After hearing about Brunda from his two daughters, Shekhawat discussed with local administration on steps to extend support to the family members of the deceased.
Reacting on Shekhawat's visit to Brunda's house, Odisha Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout said the Union Minister visited may be because the deceased farmer was a supporter of his party.
"Brunda may be a member of his party. So the Union Minister visited his house. Why should I visit as he does not belong to my party? A probe has been ordered on Brunda's death. A high-level probe on the reasons and the circumstances behind his suicide is underway. The government is deciding on the kind of support to be provided to his family," said Rout.
The reaction of Rout did not go down well with Brunda's family members. Such statements from a Minister are uncalled for, said Brunda Sahu’s daughter Preeti Sahu.
"We are still mourning my father's death. We are a family of farmers and we do not belong to any party. It is his duty to visit us and being a minister of the State government such statements do not suit him," said Preeti.
She even said that various political parties are visiting them and giving them assurance but her family is yet to receive any assistance.
Similarly, BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit reacted to the Agri minister saying “If Damodar Rout has data that Brunda Sahu is of BJP based on which he decided not to visit his home, let him calculate the number of farmers belonging to BJP, BJD and Congress and work for the farmers of his party. I criticise such cheap politics promoting division within the farming community.”
According to information, a farmer of Semilia village under Sadar block of Bolangir district on Sunday attempted suicide by consuming poison on his farmland. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital by his family members. Crop loss has been alleged to be the main reason behind his extreme step.
Similarly, in Mayurbhanj district, another farmer took this extreme step by drinking pesticide on his field. Sources said, the victim, Maheswar Nayak, a resident of Pingu village under Kaptipada block had mentally broken down over loss of his harvest due to pest attack and reportedly took to attempt suicide. His family members immediately admitted to Udala hospital and his health condition is stated to be stable.
Meanwhile, a central expert team led by Union Agriculture Minister of State Gajendra Sekhawat will look pest menace and crop loss situation in Bargarh today. On Sunday, the team visited Sonepur and took stock of farmers' issues. On the other hand the central team's visit has not gone down well with the ruling BJD with senior party leader and Agriculture minister Damodar Rout coming down heavily on the Centre for interfering in the matters of the state without invitation.
Pest attack has wreaked havoc across the State, especially in Bargarh district where farmers have alleged that even after using several pesticides their crops were destroyed by brown plant hopper (BPH).
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Left with no choice, farmers have set their standing crops on fire and in some cases have been forced to commit suicide.
Surprisingly, OUAT had warned the State agriculture department and also other concerned departments at the district level of pest attack in October.
"We had sent an advisory to the agriculture department in the first week of October. We even repeatedly sent it for the next two weeks," said OUAT Dean Surendra Nath Pasupalak.
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However, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout denied of getting any information from OUAT.
"No one has informed me about the advisory. Had I got it, I would have done something," said Rout.
Though it is yet to be ascertained who is telling the truth, there is no denying that the pest menace has left the farmers of the State in dire straits.
To prove his claim, Singh stated he has a video in which the saffron party members are seen provoking Brunda Sahu to take the extreme step. "I can identify the BJP activists featured in the video," the minister said, adding that he will hand over the video to police for a probe.
Refuting the allegation BJP MLA Pradip Purohit said, "The ruling party is levelling baseless charges and the video is a conspiracy to malign BJP’s image.”
He further questioned, “Has the saffron party instigated 4,000 farmers who committed suicide in the State during past 17 years?”
There have been irregularities in pesticide and seed purchase, said the BJP MLA adding that first of all, the State government should set these things right.
Following Brunda Sahu’s death on November 1, resentment has been brewing over crop loss due to pest attacks.
In Bargarh district, so far four farmers have killed themselves in the past one week allegedly over crop loss.
https://youtu.be/id4ss8euHMg
OPCC chief Prasad Harichandan said when farmers see their standing crops have been damaged by pests, they torch crops to prevent it from spreading to other fields. "Now famers want that the present State government should be dethroned as it has not done much for them," Harichandan added.
BJP legislature party leader KV Singhdeo told media persons, "The saffron party will organize agitation in 314 blocks over farmer issues."
However, refuting the charges, BJD spokesperson, Pratap Deb said, "Before making any statements, they (BJP and Congress) should examine what steps have been taken for farmers in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where these parties are in power."
Today, a farmer Bhakta Bhoi of Panikipalli in Sohela of Bargarh district, who had consumed poison over alleged crop loss, died at the Padmapur hospital while undergoing treatment. Family members of the deceased alleged that due to lack of irrigation facilities his crops got damaged which caused mental stress forcing Bhoi to take the extreme step.
Earlier in the day, one P.Nabin Kumar of Nuakhairpali village in Bargarh died while undergoing treatment at Burla hospital after he consumed pesticides on Saturday allegedly over crop failure because of pest attack.
In Bargarh district, so far four farmers have killed themselves in the past one week allegedly over crop loss.
https://youtu.be/arI2JFlZtZA
Development Commissioner R. Balakrishnan, after reviewing the situation through video conferencing on Sunday, stressed on several measures to tackle the situation.
District collectors have been asked to intensify awareness drives and revenue personnel, self help groups and other grassroot level workers will be mobilized, said Balakrishnan.
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The State government has already directed for disbursal of assistance for rabi crops and at present there is no need for the farmers to panic, he said.
Official sources said, use of spurious pesticides has come to notice in Sambalpur and already the licence of the retailer has been cancelled.
Meanwhile, crops in nearly 1, 78,932 hectares of agricultural land have been affected by pest menace in nine districts in Odisha.
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As per the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) statistics, standing crops in 8,211 villages of 92 blocks and 19 urban local bodies have been affected by the pests in Bargarh, Sambalpur, Nuapada, Sonepur, Bolangir, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Koraput and Bhadrak.
There has been 33 to 50 percent crop loss in nearly 1, 12,000 hectares of land while 20 blocks in Ganjam district have been worst affected.
14 blocks in Bolangir and Koraput, 12 in Kalahandi and 11 in Bargarh have also been affected by pests this year.
https://youtu.be/jV2TMYVDisc
According to reports, Kumar had consumed pesticides after visiting his agricultural field on Saturday and died while undergoing treatment at Burla hospital today.
Family members alleged that Kumar had taken some loans for agriculture in nearly 10 to 12 acres of land. Despite repeated use of pesticides for eight to ten times, pests had damaged bulk of the crops for which he was in mental duress.
This is second instance of a farmer committing suicide in Bargarh district in less than a week.
Earlier, Brunda Sahu of Kalapani had ended his life after setting fire to his crops on November 1. Sahu was under severe stress after failing to control pest attack on his maize crops in his half acre land.
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Speaking to media here on Saturday, Rout said the farmers who have suffered more than 33 per cent crop loss due to pest or any natural calamity will get compensation but those who have burnt their crops cannot be given the same.
“How can they be given the compensation? If there will be no crop in the fields, how can the officials estimate the loss,” questioned Rout.
On the alleged suicide of Bargarh district farmer Brunda Sahu, the minister said an investigation is required to know the reason behind his suicide like why did he consume poison in presence of several people a day after burning his crops, does the land belong to him or was he a share cropper. Besides, we have to check whether he has taken loan from bank, he said.
No farmer faces financial issues, especially during this period. They may be in distress but that doesn’t mean they have nothing to eat, added Rout.
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The minister said that the government is not responsible if farmers take loan from private lenders, as it is giving loans to them- without any mortgage and even not recovering the amount from them.
"Farmers of Odisha never commit suicide as they are well aware that their family will suffer after their death. An investigation is needed to know the truth behind the burning of crops and suicides," stated the BJD veteran adding that a high level meeting comprising the chief secretary, agriculture commissioner and others will be held to discuss on the report submitted by the Bargarh district collector today.
Besides, Rout informed that the government will soon start disbursing Rabi loans to farmers.
On the other hand, the Sambalpur district collector Samarth Verma has said that 28,200 hectares of agricultural land have been affected by pests in the region.
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The incidents of burning of crop fields continue in the State. A farmer of Sankujendri village under Ramanaguda block in Gunupur, Rayagada, set afire his pest-affected crops in one acre of agricultural land. Similarly, a farmer of Bandigaon in Dharmagad block in Kalahandi district torched his pest-affected crops in four acres of agricultural field.
Meanwhile, a farmer of Sankhemundi village Alaya Jena, who consumed pesticide due to alleged crop loss on Friday, died today while undergoing treatment at Berhampur hospital in Ganjam district.
https://youtu.be/nVSqXXaHWXs
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Earlier on Friday, Collector Khagendra Kumar Padhi along with SP Jugal Kishore Banoth visited the family members of the Brunda Sahu.
On Thursday, a three-member team of the district administration led by the Tehsildar visited both the house and the farm land of Sahu for an on-the-spot inquiry. Later, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout had sought an inquiry report from the district Collector.
It may be mentioned here that Sahu had committed suicide by consuming poison in his farm land on Wednesday after setting his pest-infested crops on fire on the previous day. The incident has triggered political outcry and blame game in the state. Leaders of various political parties and farmers' outfits are frequently visiting the family members of the deceased farmer.
Meanwhile, the Congress blamed both the state government and Centre for the incident and demanded Rs 20 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased.
https://youtu.be/Bk0ZEmlDCAY
NKS convener Akshay Kumar stated the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund should provide compensation to protect the interest of farmers. "We have been repeatedly saying provision should be made for price, prestige and pension to farmers. No farmer would commit suicide if the issue is addressed," Kumar added.
Advisor to the farmers’ body Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, who also visited Sahu’s family, stated the ruling and Opposition parties should refrain from politicising the matter.
Patnaik said, "Firstly, the government should accept that cases of farmer suicide are happening in the State. The government should take steps to ensure no farmer commits suicide further."
Meanwhile, after the OTV telecast that Sahu’s wife is critically ill, the district administration sent a medical team to examine her.
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Also, a BJP team led by the party’s State chief Basant Panda met Sahu’s family today.
Yesterday, OPCC chief Prasad Harichandan met Sahu’s family members and expressed his sympathy.
Brunda Sahu of Kalapani had committed suicide by consuming poison on Wednesday, a day after torching his crops out of distress over pest attack.
https://youtu.be/FJL12n8Z34o
The farmer, identified as Saraswati Patra, became critical after consuming poison and was admitted to the Soro Community Health Centre (CHC) by locals.
She was in distress after her paddy harvest was damaged due to repeated pest attack. Apart from this, a loan of Rs 30,000 which she had taken for agricultural purposes added to her woes.
Meanwhile, the Bargarh district collector will submit a report on farmer Brunda Sahu suicide today.
A team of local tehsildar, agriculture official and police undertook a joint field visit yesterday and met family members of Brunda Sahu. Later, the team submitted a report to the Bargarh district collector last evening.
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Earlier this week, farmers from Sambalpur and Bargarh districts set their crops afire.
Similarly, a farmer of Gajilguda village near Gunupur in Rayagada district yesterday set damaged crops in his eight acre farm land on fire. In Ganjam, farmers of Limakudia too set their pest-infested crops on fire.
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A three-member technical team of the Agriculture Department yesterday raided a pesticide shop in Bargarh town as farmers complained that the pesticide they bought from the market or the ones supplied to them by the Cooperation Department were of inferior quality.
https://youtu.be/7QmjQrm7UTA
The road blockade was withdrawn in wee hours today after the administration promised to allot four decimal farmland, a house under the Biju Pucca Yojana and provide Rs 42,000 to the family of Sahu, who ended his life yesterday by consuming poison as his crops were damaged by pests. He had set his crops afire on Tuesday.
Bargarh collector, sub-collector and legislator Debesh Acharya reached the spot and pacified the agitating locals who were staging the road blockade by placing dead body of the farmer.
Meanwhile, the Bargarh MLA informed that Rs 63 crore financial assistance has been sanctioned for farmers in the district suffering from crop loss due to lack of irrigation facilities. Each farmer will get Rs 13,500 per hectare in case crop gets damaged, Acharya added.
Farmers in the region alleged that pesticide supplied to them by the government was of substandard quality which led to the damage of crops.
The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has instructed the Bargarh Collector and secretaries of Agriculture and Revenue departments to submit a report on the farmers’ suicide issue within three weeks.
https://youtu.be/BiKSk_Rd0OI
In a letter to district collectors of Bargarh, Bolangir, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nuapada, Sambalpur and Subarnapur, Additional Relief Commissioner Mihir Chand Mallick has asked them to conduct necessary joint field verification through the field functionaries of Revenue & Disaster Management and Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment departments and furnish the report along with detailed information about area under crop loss to the extent of 33% and above to the Department within 2 days.
Mallick has also stated that senior officers of the district should supervise the exercise and cross verify the report to ensure that correct data reaches to the government.
On the other hand Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has instructed the Bargarh Collector and secretaries of Agriculture and Revenue departments to submit report on the farmers' suicide issue within three weeks. The commission issued the notice based on a petition filed by Samajwadi Party State president Rabi Behera.
Also Read: After torching crops, farmer ends life in Bargarh
A day after torching his pest-affected crops, Brunda Sahu of Kalapani in Bargarh had committed suicide on Wednesday by consuming poison. Sahu was under severe stress after failing to control pest attack on his maize crops in his half acre land. In an extreme step of despondency, he had set afire his standing crops on Tuesday to prevent further attack of pest.
Fellow farmers had alleged that the pesticide supplied to them by the government was of substandard quality which led to the damage of crops.
Later in the day, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout sent a team of experts to the area and directed them to report within 48 hours. He had even said that strict action will be taken if any official is found responsible. A team of officials led by Bargarh tehsildar in-charge rushed to the spot and carried out an on-the-spot inquiry.
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With the death of Brunda Sahu, Bargarh district witnessed third farmer suicide in a span of seven days.
In the latest incident, family sources said, farmer Akshya Dharei had cultivated paddy over nine acres of his land. He had taken Rs 2 lakh loan from a cooperative society to buy fertilisers, pesticides and meet other expenses and had hoped for a bumper harvest this year. A swarm of grasshoppers caused damage to standing crops.Moreover, scanty rainfall also wreaked havoc, sources added.
Dharei was under pressure to repay loan. On Sunday, he consumed pesticide and was rushed to District Headquarters Hospital where he died last night while undergoing treatment.
In the previous incident of farmer suicide, Indra Bariha had killed himself by consuming pesticide allegedly also due to crop loss at Malamunda under Gaisilat block, also in Bargarh district. His family members had alleged that he was under severe mental agony due to drought.
His drastic step had come a day after the Chief Minister announced special package for drought-hit farmers in the State.
Indra Bariha was under severe mental stress due to drought, family members said. He consumed poison on Sunday and was admitted to district headquarters hospital. However, he died last night while undergoing treatment.