Opposition Congress and BJP on Thursday accused the Odisha government of having "no concern" towards the drought-like situation caused due to scanty rainfall and farmers' suicide in the state.
The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik of BJP during the Zero Hour and supported by Congress members. Both the parties sought a statement from the government on the situation created due to scanty rainfall.
"A drought like situation prevailed in at least 15 of the 30 districts of Odisha and the state government has no concern towards the situation," Naik said adding that paddy saplings have turned yellow due to inadequate water.
He urged Speaker S N Patro to direct the revenue and disaster management minister Sudam Marndi to inform the House about situation on ground.
Accusing the state government of being "responsible" for the farmer suicide cases, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra said: "Farmers have started committing suicide due to crop failure caused by lack of irrigation."
Mishra alleged that while one farmer in his Bolangir assembly segment had committed suicide last week, another farmer's suicide case had been reported from Bargarh. Two days ago, a farmer's suicide case was also reported from Balasore district, he said.
Odisha's Agriculture minister Arun Kumar Sahoo while replying to a question had claimed that farmer suicide cases had nothing to do with agricultural activities or debt burden.
Mishra, however, alleged that the ruling BJD had been maintaining dual stand on farmer suicide issue. "Some days ago, BJD MP Prasanna Acharya claimed in the Rajya Sabha that farmers across the country commit suicide due to debt burden and crop failure. However, the same BJD's Agriculture minister in Odisha Assembly denies farmer suicide due to agricultural activities and debt burden," he said.
"Who is telling the truth? Is BJD MP in Rajya Sabha or BJD minister in Odisha Assembly telling the truth?," Mishra asked.
He alleged a House Committee, formed to probe into a farmer suicide case in Bargarh during the previous government, did not submit its report.
"This indicates the callous attitude of the state government towards farmer suicide incidents," Mishra said.
The Congress leader also alleged that a large number of lift irrigation points remained defunct and farmers have been denied of irrigation. Even the farmers in the assured irrigation areas are unable to get water for cultivation because of no water in the canals.
Patro has asked Marndi to give a statement on the scanty rainfall situation across the state on Friday.
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