A delegation of the Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Krushak Morcha led by its state president, Maheswar Sahu met Governor Raghubar Das on Thursday over reports of farmer suicides in the state. The saffron party alleged that the state reported three farmer suicide cases in one month, one each from Jajpur, Nayagarh and Bolangir, ascribing the suicides to the drastic failure of the state government.
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.
No comments have been received from the concerned authorities.