Congress members on Friday expressed deep concern over the suicide of a farmer in Balangir district and slammed the Government for not helping out farmers when drought-like situations have occurred in many districts due to scanty rainfall.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Congress member Santosh Singh Saluja said Balangir and four other districts have received 40-per cent less rainfall between June 1 and July 18 for which cultivation works have been severely affected. Jagabandhu Dandasena, a farmer of Balangir district, had four acres of cultivable land. Due to scanty rainfall, he could not undertake cultivation works. He was not included in the KALIA Yojana. He was yet to receive insurance claims for the last two years. Shockingly, he consumed poison in his land and later died in the VIMSAR at Burla under treatment.
“Five districts, including Balangir, have received 40 per cent rainfall. This year, farmers of Balangir district are facing an alarming situation. A farmer has already committed suicide. The State Government should inform the House as to what measures it is going to take to support farmers of Balangir and other drought-hit districts,” Saluja said and sought a ruling from the Speaker.
Raising the same issue, Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra alleged that farmers of Balangir have suffered a lot due to callous attitude of the State Government.
“While there has been scanty rainfall, firming activities have been severely affected in Balangir district. We have the right to know what measure the State Government is going to take for sustenance of farmers,” Mishra said and urged Speaker to send a House Committee to Balangir to make a study and report.
In response, Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro directed the Revenue Minister to conduct a study and make a statement in the House within two days’ time.