Seven more Farmers end life in 24 Hours in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Oct 27: As many as seven farmers have committed suicide in a Monday due to acute drought, crop loss and debt. Odisha government failed to restore the confidence of debt ridden farmers in the state. Despite assurance from the Chief Minister and declaration of special drought package for farmers, spate of suicides continue in the state.

As per reports, three framers of Dhusuri in Dhenkanal district and Ganjam district, three farmers in Kendujhar and a farmer in Bargarh district have ended their lives on Monday.

Satrughan  Behera (45) of Tikarpara village under Sadar block in Kendujhar committed suicide following crop loss. He took loan from three banks for agricultural activities on three acres of land. But the drought and scanty rainfall faded all his hopes leaving him debt ridden. He committed suicide by consuming poison; villagers rushed him to hospital where he was declared dead.

Jaladhar Nayak (45) of Gadhuli village under Champua block ended his life following crop loss. He was sole bread earner for a family of five members. Gangadhar Behera (61) of Tagaria village under Purunabandhagada block committee suicide. Baidhar Mahalika (52) of Sundarpur village under Dhusuri police jurisdiction in Bhadrak district ended lif on Monday. Bidyadhar (27) of Birsinghpur of Chikiti block in Ganjam district ended life. Pabitra Bahira (19) of Sirabahala village under Bhatili police station in Bargarh district and Baidhar Pradhan (65) of Sankulei village in Dhenkanal district have committed suicide.

Reacting over the farmers deaths in Odisha, Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy said that the exact reason for farmers ending life is yet to be ascertained. He said that the there were reports of around 20-25 farmers death in the state till date. He said “The Special Relief Commissioner has the detailed reports in this regard.”

In order to tackle the drought situation and to restore faith in debt ridden farmers, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has declared special drought assistance package for the farmers.  The Chief Minister directed Agriculture Minister to ensure proper implementation of the state government’s drought package to the farmers. The state government announced a fresh assistance of Rs4,500 corore in addition to a drought package worth Rs 1,000 crore.