Government failed farmers

BHUBANESWAR: The Krushak Morcha of the BJP on Wednesday assailed the State Government for its failure to solve the farmers’ problems.Presiding over a meeting of the State functionaries of Krushak Morcha here on Wednesday, president of the farmers wing Mahesh Sahu said that the farmers are yet to get compensation for  crop loss they sustained last year due to natural calamities.Disputing the Government claims that certified seeds and fertilisers have been supplied to the farmers for the ensuing kharif crops, Sahu said that the seeds corporation of the State has not been able to supply seeds due to  differences with the Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production.Even though the State Government engaged the primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS) for supply of certified seeds to the farmers, the Orissa State Seeds Corporation is not ready to pay commission to the PACS for supply of seeds.Alleging massive corruption in the supply of certified seeds last year, Sahu said the certified paddy seeds supplied to the farmers failed to germinate at many places.While more than 200 farmers committed suicide due to crop loss and loan, the Government is not coming to their rescue, he added.The Morcha demanded Rs 5 lakh solatium to each of the bereaved families who lost their bread earners and a Government job to one of the eligible members.The Krushak Morcha expressed concern over lack of credit support from nationalised banks for farm activities and non-payment of compensation to the farmers who suffered loss in the untimely rains last year.He further alleged that Government agencies in connivance with unscrupulous traders have created an artificial scarcity of  fertilisers.Agricultural programmes under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) too have failed to take off due to mismanagement. Central assistance provided under the programme is parked in a private bank in clear violation of the Government rules, the Morcha president said.Functionaries of the Morcha will visit all the districts from May 27 to June 20 to enlighten the farmers on the government negligence.