The incident of farmer Gopal Krishna Sahu from Bargarh district, known as the rice bowl of Odisha, being unable to sell his hard-earned paddy and ultimately being compelled to seek euthanasia has deeply disturbed the people of Odisha. By accepting the farmer\u2019s euthanasia application, the government has exposed its own helplessness. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly condemned this anti-farmer policy of the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan today, Bargarh MLA Smt. Barsha Singh Bariha and BJD Spokesperson and Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty stated that the change promised by the double-engine government has turned out to be extremely alarming. Due to the government\u2019s discriminatory attitude towards the farming community, which forms the economic backbone of Odisha, the state is being criticized across the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smt. Barsha Singh Bariha stated that farmer Gopal Krishna Sahu of Bargarh district, after repeatedly approaching government officials to sell his hard-earned paddy and facing disappointment at every step, was ultimately compelled to take the extreme step of writing to the Hon\u2019ble President of India seeking euthanasia. It is highly shameful that the district administration accepted such an application. This clearly indicates that the government wants farmers to commit suicide. In a state where a farmer is forced to seek euthanasia, the people can judge for themselves how successful the government\u2019s farmer welfare policies really are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Farmers across the state are worried because paddy is not being lifted from many mandis. Thousands of quintals of paddy are lying in mandis and have started sprouting after getting drenched in monsoon rains. The government had promised to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP), but failed to do so. On the other hand, the exorbitant rise in the prices of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs has shattered the economic backbone of farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The double-engine government has not only done injustice to the farming community but has also caused immense hardship to beneficiaries by delaying pension payments to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and widows. The government must immediately resolve all the issues faced by farmers; otherwise, the Biju Janata Dal will intensify its struggle in the interest of the farming community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Lenin Mohanty stated that while the double-engine government boasts of providing \u20b93,100 per quintal to farmers, on the other hand it is deducting up to 15 kilograms through cut-and-shortage practices, thereby exposing its double standards. Farmers are being forced to take to the streets every procurement season. Due to mandi-related problems and token-related issues, farmers are unable to sell their paddy and are being compelled to resort to extreme measures such as seeking euthanasia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident of a farmer from Bargarh seeking euthanasia and the district administration accepting his application has saddened the entire state. This clearly reflects the extent of the government\u2019s helplessness. The government promises that payment for paddy procurement will be transferred to farmers\u2019 accounts within 24 hours, but the ground reality is completely different. Repeated occurrences of such incidents are bringing disrepute to Odisha. The Biju Janata Dal hopes that the government will become more sensitive towards the farming community and take immediate steps to resolve all their problems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"