Bhubaneswar, Oct. 30: The state Congress today launched the second phase of its Jana Jagaran Yatra or mass awareness rally from Barpadar village in Nuapada district to highlight the government's failure to address the problems of the farmers.
The rally was launched on a day when two more cases of alleged farmer suicides were reported from Kalahandi and Angul districts.
The state government has called for a meeting with farmers here tomorrow.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan and Opposition leader Narasingha Mishra today met the family members of Bhubaneswar Behera, 62, from Barpadar who had allegedly committed suicide on October 22 following crop failure.
The mass awareness rally would conclude at Jugenpadar village under Sinapali block.
The government will discuss kharif paddy procurement with farmers' representatives at tomorrow's meeting.
Food supplies and consumer welfare minister Sanjay Das Burma said: "We will talk with the farmers' representatives about Kharif paddy procurement, which will begin on November 15. We will ensure that the farmers get the minimum support price for their produce."
The state has also asked the district administration to hold district procurement committee meetings. The dates for the meetings will be decided after tomorrow's meeting.
The state government has so far received reports of 41 farmer deaths. It's announcement of a drought package for farmers and water tax waiver has also failed to stop alleged farmer suicides.
In Angul district, Sahadev Dehury, 55, a resident of Kathuasahi village under Chhendipada block, allegedly consumed some tablets yesterday following a low yield. He had borrowed money from the villagers for cultivating paddy.
Angul collector Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, however, denied that it was a case of suicide and had anything to do with crop loss. He said that the farmer was suffering from malaria and was under medication.
In another case, Baladev Majhi from Gambhariguda village under Koksara block of Kalahandi district allegedly committed suicide this morning by consuming poison. Family members said Majhi was under stress because of crop failure and loan burden.
