Odisha Congress Calls For Immediate Aid For Flood-Affected Farmers
Odisha Congress Calls For Immediate Aid For Flood-Affected Farmers
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Bhubaneswar: The state Congress of Odisha launched a stinging attack on the BJD government on Tuesday, accusing it of doing nothing to help farmers whose crops were severely damaged by heavy rains and subsequent floods.
Amiya Patnaik, the head of the state Congress' farmer wing, stated during a press conference in Bhubaneswar that heavy rains and flooding had entirely destroyed over 15 lakh acres of kharif crops.
Aside from this, he added that substantial damage to plantations and vegetable farming on an area of almost five lakh acres in the state added to the problems of the farmers.
"However, the Government has remained a spectator the entire time. Even though the government was aware of the impending floods, it did nothing to prepare. River embankments broke down as a result, severely damaging any standing crops at various locations, according to the leader of the Kisan Congress.
He criticised the state government for failing to alter the relief code, claiming that by doing so, the administration is depriving struggling farmers of the proper support.
He added that the farmers are being severely hurt by a severe lack of seeds and fertiliser, and urged the government to help them immediately rather than making empty promises and pronouncements.
The state's KALIA and the federal government's PM-Kisan schemes, according to Patnaik, have failed to offer the much-needed support to the farmers of Odisha at this time of crisis. He claimed that farmers are unable to take advantage of the crop insurance scheme and are also denied a fair price for their produce.
Approximately 25 lakh of the 75 lakh farmer families are refused the benefits of KALIA, and 43 lakh are denied aid under the PM-Kisan scheme because the state government lacks correct information about the farmers, the speaker alleged.
According to him, the state government should assess agricultural damage as soon as possible and give farmers appropriate seeds, fertiliser, and pesticides in order to lessen their suffering.
He stated that measures should be done to waive farm loans and set up interest-free loans for the upcoming rabi harvests.
