Bhubaneswar, Nov 12
Odisha BJP on Thursday demanded a judicial inquiry into the causes of farmers’ suicide in State and identifying the sources from where the farmers had borrowed money for cultivation.
Senior Party leader Biswabhusan Harichandan told newsmen that it is surprising that the State government is shying away from admitting the facts on farmers’ suicide in the State due to crop loss and loan burden.
It said the probe should identify the sources from where the farmers had borrowed money to raise crops on their fields. The probe should find out whether they borrowed from banks, financial institutions or money lenders.
The probe should fix the responsibility and decide the punishment for those guilty, said Harichandan.
The senior BJP leader said it is surprising that the State government is shying away from admitting the fact.
The State is passing through a severe drought crisis and instances of farmer suicide are spiraling. Even though the State Government claims to have received only 48 reports pertaining to farmer suicide, private agencies claim the number to be higher than 90. Never before in Odisha farmers committed suicide at this rate, said Harichandan.
He stoutly refuted the allegations of MP Pinaki Mishra that the money lenders from whom the farmers had borrowed money owed allegiance to BJP.
“A high level probe will unveil every thing and BJP demands a high level probe,” he said
