Bhubaneswar: A farmer in Odisha’s Bargarh district has sought permission for euthanasia after he allegedly faced difficulties in selling his paddy to the government procurement centre (mandi).

Gopal Krishna Sahu of Melchhamunda village in Bargarh has written to the President, Prime Minister and Odisha Chief Minister seeking permission for euthanasia. He has sent his letter through Bargarh district Collector, reports said.

In his letter, Sahu alleged that he had applied for the ‘token’ to sell his paddy to the government mandi. However, the authorities are yet to issue the ‘token’ and take the necessary steps for procuring his paddy.

Sahu had borrowed money for paddy cultivation  

According to Sahu, he had borrowed money from various sources to cultivate paddy. Sahu had promised the lenders to return the money after selling his produce at the mandi.

The young farmer reportedly sold a portion of his produce to some private traders at low prices to arrange money for his mother’s treatment and meet other domestic expenses.  

“I had applied for the token to sell my paddy at the mandi. However, the authorities did not take the necessary steps in this regard. I had raised the issue with the Collector’s office but to no avail. Now, I am under severe mental stress to repay the loans and arrange money for various needs of my family,” said Sahu.

Oppn BJD targets BJP govt in Odisha

Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the principal Opposition party in Odisha, has targeted the Mohan Charan Majhi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state over the issue. 

“Sahu had approached the government officials to sell his paddy at the mandi. But, he was unable to do so due to the apathy of the authorities. The young farmer is facing financial difficulties and he has sought permission for euthanasia. This has exposed the anti-farmer policy of the BJP government in Odisha,” said BJD MLA Barsha Singh Bariha.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty claimed that farmers across the state are facing difficulties in selling their paddy at the mandis.

“Farmers across the state are worried because paddy is not being lifted from the mandis. Thousands of quintals of paddy are lying in mandis and have started sprouting after getting drenched in monsoon rains. The government had promised to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP), but failed to do so. On the other hand, the exorbitant rise in the prices of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs has shattered the economic backbone of farmers,” alleged Mohanty.