BHUBANESWAR: With the number of distressed farmers setting their standing paddy crops hit by pest attack on fire and cases of suicide due to crop loss mounting, the State BJP on Saturday demanded resignation of Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout for his insensitive remarks against farmers.The Agriculture Minister, who had earlier made mockery of the farmers’ plight by attributing their suicide to marital disputes, liquor related problems and love affairs, said on Saturday that compensation will not be paid to farmers who have set their paddy field on fire as it would be difficult to assess the damage.
“This shows how insensitive the ruling BJD is to the plight of farmers. It seems the Minister has lost his sense of proportion and he has no moral right to continue in office,” State BJP president Basanta Panda told mediapersons here after a field visit to Kalapani villages of Bargarh district.
If Rout does not tender his resignation, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should dismiss him from his Cabinet for his irresponsible and inhuman statement, Panda said.
“The present crisis is a result of the failure of the State Government to address the farmers’ problems in time and the death of Brundaban Sahu is not a case of suicide but case of murder,” Panda said.
Prior to taking the extreme step, Sahu had knocked the doors of all officials concerned to save the standing paddy crops from pest attack. As none of the officials had paid heed to his plight, a distressed Sahu thought it best to end his life. The State Government is responsible for the loss of this precious life, Panda said.
Panda, who led a 10-member team of the party during a visit to the bereaved family at Kaliapani village on Friday, said the State Government which has been claiming that none of the State’s farmers committed suicide either due to crop loss or loan burden on the basis of false reports should take cognizance of the ground reality and pay adequate compensation to the families of the farmers who committed suicide.
Panda alleged that the Central assistance for supply of pesticides and micro-nutrients to farmers is not reaching the intended beneficiaries. Besides, the quality control wing of the Government is not evaluating the quality of pesticide available in the market.The BJP leader appealed the farmers not to commit suicide but fight against the Government for their right.