The State Assembly was stalled for the second consecutive day on Wednesday over the issues of distress sale of vegetables, farmers’ suicide and nonpayment of compensation for crops loss raised by Opposition Congress.
When the House met at 10.30 am for the day, Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati raising the issue alleged that a farmer of Bargarh district, Khainu Bagarty, committed suicide not being able to bear crop loss and loan burden.
“Though the Chief Minister and the Agriculture Minister are present here and listening to our demand, yet they are irresponsive. The Government should take seriously of the farmers issues and we seek your intervention,” Bahinipati said and urged Speaker Niranjan Pujari to direct the Government to announce compensation for farmers who have suffered due to distress otherwise the House can’t run. Soon, all other Congress Members, who were on their feet, shouted anti-Government slogans.
Unable to run the proceedings, the Speaker adjourned the House at 10.34 am till 11.30 am.
When the House reassembled, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra pulled up both the Centre and the State Government for alleged suicide of a farmer in Bargarh district and distress sale of vegetables.
“It is disappointing that the State Government doesn’t accept the fact that 200 farmers committed suicide due to crop loss and loan burden in 2015-16. Both the Centre and State Governments are responsible for farmers’ sorry state of affairs in Bargarh district,” he said.
Mishra said though the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister had visited the district and assured all support, the farmer’s death indicate how their assurances worked.
He too alleged that the State Government’s inaction coupled with stubbornness has led to farmers’ death. Soon, his party MlAs led by Bahinipati trouped into the well of the House and started shouting anti-Government slogans. The Speaker adjourned the House till 3 pm. As the situation remain unaltered, Pujari adjourned the house time and again till 5 pm and then for the day.