Odisha Cong seeks report on farmer suicides

Opposition Congress on Friday sought a report from the Odisha government on the cause of farmer suicides in the state, alleging that the Naveen Patnaik-led dispensation was indifferent to their plight.

Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra, during a debate in the Assembly, claimed that "at least four farmers have committed suicide in July" due to crop loss and debt burden.

"Farmers in Bolangir, Bargarh, Balasore and Jagatsinghpur have committed suicide as scanty rainfall in the state led to huge crop loss. The incidents of suicide are on rise in the state as the government failed to provide irrigation facilities," Mishra said.

Odisha's Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo, however, contended that farm-related issues were not the reason behind the suicides.

"It is a fact that the farmers have committed suicide. But the reason is something else and not related to agricultural activities," Sahoo said without elaborating any ...