BARGARH/BHUBANESWAR: As the western Orissa prepares itself to celebrate the customary Nuakhai, suicide of yet another farmer and the impending drought have taken away the cheer this time.With drought menacingly staring at them, growing loan burden and a government hardly coming to the rescue, farmers suicide cases are coming up with dangerous frequency from this region. The latest to end life is farmer Bhojraj Barik of Debahal village in Attabira block of Bargarh district. Barik (52), who had consumed pesticide, was rushed to VSS Medical Burla but did not survive. His is the fifth such suicide case from Bargarh district in the past one month.Although hundreds of farmers have already committed suicide, the State Government has remained reluctant over the number. Acccording to government statistics, 46 farmers ended lives in the last five years from this region.On Wednesday, the Congress charged the Government of showing insensitivity. It demanded amendment to the relief code and enhancement of aide amount for farmers in drought affected areas. The Government should pay Rs. 20,000 per acre for loss of crop in irrigated land and Rs. 12,000 for unirrigated land, the party said.Meanwhile, another starvation death report has come to the fore, third such in Sambalpur district. Jhirla Kisan (60) of Dhudipali under Jamankira block allegedly died of hunger on Wednesday. Her husband Munsi Kisan (75), if not helped immediately, might die soon, according to locals. The sarpanch stepped in and gave him some money and rice. The couple had gone out for begging to another village that proved fatal.
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