Farmer suicides rocks Western Orissa

Farmer suicides rocks Western Orissa
By Our Correspondent
SAMBALPUR: The Naveen Patnaik Government in Orissa has again dragged into controversy after reports of farmer suicide in western part of the State.
Bidyadhar Bag (50) of Khapsadera village in Tamparkela Gram Panchayat under Rengali block took away his life as his crop was badly affected by pests.
This was the third death in quick intervals in the undivided Sambalpur district. The first one was reported in Bargarh district followed by Jharsuguda and finally the third one in Sambalpur district.
Sources said Bidyadhar has only 40 decimal (0.40 acres) of arable land and he cultivated three acres on rent. After returning from the field he informed his wife and family members that the paddy had been affected by pests.
Enraged at Bidyadhar's 'lackadaisical attitude', his wife charged him with not taking proper care of the crop. This upset Bidyadhar who went to the market and on the plea of purchasing some medicines consumed pesticide and committed suicide.
The farmer was immediately rushed to Sambalpur Sadar hospital, but doctors declared him brought dead. Bidyadhar is survived by wife and three children.
Sambalpur District Collector Pradipta Kumar Pattnaik assured some help to the deceased's family from the district Red cross fund.
Sub-collector and other staff of Revenue and Agriculture department who visited the spot claimed that Bidyadhar's crop failure was totally due to his lack of care.