As two more commit suicide, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik convenes meeting of agriculture cabinet

The two farmers who committed suicide belonged to Bargarh district where the pest attack has been severe.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik (File | PTI)
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik (File | PTI)

BHUBANESWAR: As two more farmers committed suicide due to crop loss in pest attack today taking the number to nine, chief minister Naveen Patnaik convened a meeting of the agriculture cabinet tomorrow to take stock of the situation and announce compensation for the affected farmers. The two farmers who committed suicide belonged to Bargarh district where the pest attack has been severe.

Besides assessing the crop loss due to the pest attack, the agriculture cabinet is also expected to discuss on long terms measures needed to be taken to ensure such situation do not take place in future. Reports of district collectors on pest attack and suicide of farmers is also likely to be discussed at the meeting.

As supply of sub-standard pesticides is said to be one of the reasons for which the pest  attack could not be controlled, the issue is also likely to be discussed. Collectors of eight affected districts have already submitted their reports to the government basing on which the agriculture cabinet is likely to decided on the next course of action.

Meanwhile, crops in nearly 1, 78,932 hectares of agricultural land have been affected by pest attack in nine districts.  As per the office of the Special Relief Commissioner), crops in 8,211 villages of 92 blocks and 19 urban local bodies in Bargarh, Sambalpur, Nuapada, Sonepur, Bolangir, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Koraput and Bhadrak districts have been damaged in the pest attack.

There has been 33 to 50 percent crop loss in nearly 1, 12,000 hectares of land while 20 blocks in Ganjam district have been the worst affected. Besides, 14 blocks in Bolangir and Koraput, 12 in Kalahandi and 11 in Bargarh have also been affected.

Meanwhile, statement of agriculture minister Damodar Rout on Saturday that farmers who burnt their paddy fields will not be eligible for any pensation drew flak from  opposition political parties as well as the daughter of Brunda Sahu, a farmer of Kalapani in Bargarh district who set on fire his damaged
crop and committed suicide next day.

 After Sahu, many farmers in nine affected districts burnt their crop. As many as 10 farmers have also committed suicide so far.
 

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com