BJP team visits Odisha’s Rayagada to assess drought

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Gunupur, Nov 1:

A ten-member team of state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today toured drought-hit areas of Gunupur sub division in Odisha’s Rayagada district to take stock of the situation.

The fact-finding team led by party’s senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra visited Nuagaon, Ramanaguda, Kujendri and Penakam villages and interracted with the affected farmers.

The leaders targeted the state government over the situation and claimed that the officers are assessing the drought situation in pen and paper instead of doing field visits. Besides, they demanded waiver of bank loans and facilitation of requisite assistance to the farmers.

“From what I see here, these farmers have taken huge loans and crops are severely damaged. There is no assistance for these farmers. They would neither be able to get the desired output for their efforts nor would be able to repay their loans. Unfortunately, no one from the government machinery has visited the field yet. We urged the farmers not to commit suicide and instead file written complaints so that we can see whatever can be done for them,” said Mohapatra.

“The center is prepared to help the state government and had sent a team to the state on their own. The state government is busy politicizing the issue unnecessarily and troubling the farmers. It has not taken any concrete steps to address their concern. The Union government is yet to receive a report from the state regarding the drought condition here,” said BJP Krushak Morcha General Secretary Jadumani Panigrahy who was also part of the visiting delegation.

Ruling BJD, however, was quick to dismiss the BJP charge and instead sought their support in identifying the drought-hit areas.

“It is the only job of BJP to bring unnecessary allegation. They never think about coming up with a solution. The farmers of the state are facing a grave issue, but the government is alert and trying to facilitate all possible assistance to them. We expect the cooperation of BJP to identify the areas that have been affected by drought and crop loss. We should all support the government officers to ensure that that the problems of the farmers are addressed,” said BJD spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda.