BJP State president Basant Panda on Friday demanded that the State Government admit farmer suicides and provide adequate compensation to the families of such deceased farmers soon.
“Farmers are committing suicides due to crop losses and loan burdens. The State Government should admit this first and then provide adequate compensation to bereaved families. The Government should also provide interest-free loans to farmers in lines with the BJP-ruled States,” demanded Panda at a Press meet here.
He further alleged that farmers are suffering a lot as paddy is not being procured from them at minimum support prices (MSP). The millers are paying PC to the Government and, hence, they are troubling farmers, he alleged.
“While the Union Government has increased the paddy MSP by Rs 200, it is disappointing that farmers are not getting right prices. Reduction of five to 10 kg per quintal of paddy is adding to the woes of the farmers only,” Panda alleged further.
Demanding that the Government waive farm loans and pay compensation to drought-affected farmers, Panda said the BJP Krushak Morcha would be forced to take to the streets if demands aren’t met at the earliest.
Among others, BJP Krushak Morcha State president Shibaji Mohanty was present.