A five-member BJP team headed by BJP Krushak Morcha national vice-president Maheswar Sahu visited several villages of Nuapada district on Saturday to assess the impact of the drought during the current Kharif season.
After covering about 20 villages of Boden, Sinapali and Khariar blocks, the team observed that the drought situation in the district is alarming as thousands of acres of farmland have been devastated due to lack of rain in July-August.
"The Government should immediately declare the whole district drought-affected and provide adequate compensation to the farmers," they said.
The team also visited the house of Dulamani Bag, widow of Jadu Bag, who committed suicide last week due to loss of crop. Villagers of larka complained that Government officials, including those of the Boden police station, are harassing Dula and her in-laws for giving a statement on suicide and pressurising them to change their statement.
"The Government should accept that it is a case of suicide due to crop loss and Dula should be provided Rs 10 lakh as compensation in addition to a house under a housing scheme and a ration card," they demanded.
BJP State general secretary Samir Patra, district president Sibaprashad Mund, district president of Krushak Morcha Sanjay Tiawari and State executive member Jadumani Panigrahi were the other members of the team