JAJPUR: A delegation of State BJP visited Khetrapal village under Dharmasala block of Jajpur district on Monday and met the family members of farmer Debendra Mohapatra, who committed suicide due to crop loss and his inability to repay loans.
The team comprised BJP’s Rashtriya Kissan Morcha vice-president Rama Chandra Panda, State Kissan Morcha president Maheswar Sahu, secretary Rabinarayan Mohapatra and Manas Ranjan Das. They were accompanied by BJP State Mahila Morcha president Simantini Jena, district president Asutosh Parida, district Mahila Morcha president Rajashree Dash and Dharmasala leader Ramesh Chandra Parida.
They also visited lift irrigation points which have been lying defunct in the village for the past two years.
Talking to mediapersons, Maheswar Sahu said, “The State Government should provide a compensation of ` five lakh to the family of the deceased. Free seeds and fertilisers should also be provided to the family of each farmer, who committed suicide, for rabi crop”.
Balangir: Hundreds of tribals under the banner of Zilla Adivasi Kalyan Sangha gheraoed Kantabanji Tehsil office on Monday over their demands.
They submitted a memorandum to Kantabanji Tehsildar Subash Sethia. Their demands include declaration of Balangir as 100 pc drought affected and financial compensation as well as Government service to the family members of farmers who committed suicide.
It was decided that Tehsildar and police will demarcate tribal lands which are under encroachment and request higher authorities for compensation to families of farmer who committed suicide.
Secretary, Paschim Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangha, Niranjan Bishi also spoke.
