Odisha house adjourned over alleged farmer suicide

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Ridiculing the BJP over its silence on the alleged suicide of a farmer in Bargarh district, the oppostion Congress members today created an uproar in the Odisha assembly leading to adjournment of the House till afternoon.

The issue relating to suicide of a farmer in Bargarh district allegedly due to govenrment inaction, was raised by opposition Congress members as soon as the House assembled for the question hour. As the Congress members shouted at the top of their voices, Speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned the House till 11.30 am and then till 3 pm due to pandemonium.

Image courtesy: cobrapost.com

In zero hour, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress, came down heavily on the state’s BJD government and held it resposible for the death of Khainu Bagarti of Kendapalli village in Bargarh district on Monday night. Bagarti had consumed pesticide at his agiricultural field on Sunday and died at a hopsital in Burla on Monday night, Mishra said.

Noting that the farmer from Bargah committed suicide this time not due to calamity, Mishra alleged that the reason behind the death was due to the state government’s inaction.

“The victim farmer had incurred loan from both bank and private persons. He was growing paddy and vegetables. But his crops failed due to lack of irrigation. The lift irrigation point on which he and other farmers were depending, remained defunct for days leading to loss of crop,” Mishra pointed out.

“Had the government taken action in time and repaired the LI point, the farmers could have saved their crop. Bagarti would not have committed suicide due to crop loss. Though the villagers had brought the matter to notice of district administration, no action was taken,” Mishra said blaming the state govenrment for the farmer’s suicide.

(With inputs from PTI)