Despite the Government’s announcement of water cess waiver and rescheduling of loans, crop loss and loan burden have driven two more farmers in the State to end their lives.

The latest farmer suicides have been reported from Kalahandi and Angul districts.

In Kalahandi, the deceased farmer Baladev Majhi of Gambhariguda village in Koksara block had attempted suicide on Thursday night by consuming pesticide. He was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital at Bhawanipatna in a critical condition.

After battling for life for hours, Majhi died on Friday morning despite efforts by the doctors to save his life.

As per reports, Majhi was under stress due to crop loss and loan burden.

The body was handed over to his family members after postmortem.

In Angul, the deceased farmer Sahadev Dehury of Kaitha Sahi under Chhendipada block allegedly committed suicide on Friday. He was rushed to the Chhendipada hospital in a critical condition. However, he was declared dead on arrival.

Dehury had cultivated paddy in one acre of land, for which he had availed a loan of Rs16,000 from a cooperative bank. His crop failed due to deficient rainfall.

It may be noted that the State Government on Wednesday announced to waive water cess on farmers in the drought-hit areas. Besides, it had also recently announced to reschedule agricultural loans by extending the time limit for repaying the debts.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had also directed officials to begin disbursing subsidy on agricultural inputs to farmers in drought-affected areas by November 10. He also directed officials to stop collecting crop loans provided by cooperative societies in drought areas. The commercial banks have also been requested to take steps accordingly for the benefit of farmers.