One more distressed farmer, who was undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College Hospital here since November 5 after consuming pesticide, died on Tuesday while another was admitted at the Rourkela Government Hospital after consuming poison in a bid to end life due to crop loss and debt.
The deceased identified as Sanjay Pradhan is a native of Patanda village in Athagarh block in Cuttack district and was admitted at the SCB Hospital Cuttack in a critical condition.
According to reports, he had a debt burden of `1.5 lakh. Depressed after his crop loss due to scanty rainfall, he consumed poison on and was admitted at the Athagarh health centre. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to the SCB.
In Sundargarh district, Pabitra Behera (56), a native of Jhadbhuin village under the Tikayatpalli police station, on Monday night attempted to end his life by consuming poison. He is now undergoing treatment at the Government Hospital in Rourkela.
Behera had taken a loan of `50,000 from the State Bank of India for Kharif paddy cultivation.
According to his wife Pramila, since the loan amount fell short, Behera took another loan of `15,000 from a local Self-Help Group (SHG).
Besides, he also had arranged `10,000 by pre-maturing one of his life insurance policies for the same purpose.