Odisha Congress moves OHRC over Farmers’ Suicide

Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: A delegation of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) moved Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Wednesday over farmers’ suicide in the state. The delegation under the leadership of OPCC President Prasad Harichandan appealed the rights panel initiate probe into the suicide of farmers in the state over the past year.

They urged the rights panel to direct the state government to provide ex-gratia to families of those farmers who have committed suicide and to increase the minimum support price for paddy to Rs 2,500 per quintal. The delegation apprised OHRC about the crop loss in the drought hit areas in the state and demanded compensation for farmers.

Talking to media, OPCC President Prasad Harichandan said “We have been demanding probe into farmers’ suicide in the state. He said Congress activists would stage block-level protest on November 6 against the failure of the state government in addressing farmers’ issue.

He added as a part of Chasi Bachao Andolan, block offices would be gheraoed by the partymen and a rally would also be organized on the occasion highlighting the apathy of the state government towards farmers’ plight.