Bhubaneswar: A distressed farmer in Odisha’s Bargarh district has sought permission from the government for euthanasia following failure to sell his paddy at the state-run market yard.
Sources said the farmer, identified as Rohit Bhoi of Sahara Tikra village under Bheden block, submitted a petition to the Bargarh Collector Aditya Goyan on Monday when the officer came to hold a public grievance session.
“I want ‘ichha mrutyu’ (euthanasia) for being unable to sell my paddy even after waiting for six months for procurement. I am under distress and unable to afford medicine for my elderly parents and fund my children’s education. Therefore, it is better to die,” farmer Bhoi wrote in Odia in the petition.
While procurement for the new kharif season has already begun, the farmer said that his paddy from the previous season remains unsold. He has harvested around 220 packets of paddy, but the state-run ‘mandi’ is yet to procure them.
Stressing that cultivation is the sole source of his family’s income, Bhoi said he has written several letters to the district authorities, but none paid any heed towards his plight. “Left with no option, I sought permission for euthanasia,” the framer said.
Following the incident, Cooperation minister Pradeep Bal Samanta ordered a probe into the matter. Stating that the matter has come to his knowledge just now, he said the department and the district collector concerned would be asked to ensure that no injustice is done to the farmer.
“If there is a problem, there is a solution. We should discuss the matter instead of seeking euthanasia or taking any extreme step. If the farmer takes any adverse step, it will harm him, his family, the government and the state as a whole. Therefore, I will ask authorities to address the farmer’s issue immediately,” the minister told reporters.
The farmer claimed the prolonged delay has pushed his family into acute financial hardship, alleging he is unable to afford medicines for his ailing father and is also struggling to continue his children’s education.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Attabira Nihar Mahananda assured assistance to the farmer and said efforts are underway to ensure pending dues of farmers are cleared.
