Odisha failed to use central funds, says union minister

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Charan Das Mahant on Sunday alleged that the State Government has failed to utilise Central assistance properly in the agriculture sector.

 Addressing Congress leaders at the Congress Bhavan here, the Union minister said instead of properly utilising the funds, the State Government is blaming the Centre for apathetic attitude towards Odisha, he said.

 Stating that a false impression has been created about Central neglect of Odisha, Mahanta said the Centre will consider all proposals submitted by the State in the agriculture sector. He said the Centre provided ` 50 crore for the establishment of a food park in the State and the fund should be utilised properly.

 President of the OPCC Niranjan Patnaik criticised the State Government for its inaction claiming that more than 2,000 farmers had committed suicide in the State. Alleging that Central funds in the agriculture sector are being misappropriated, Niranjan demanded that revenue mouza should be taken as a unit for crop insurance for the farmers.

  Chairman of the farmers’ cell of the OPCC Amiya Kumar Patnaik submitted a memorandum to the Union minister. Former minister Suresh Kumar Routray drew the attention of the minister to the problems faced by Deras farm established by the Centre.

 Rajya Sabha member Ramchandra Khuntia criticised the State Government for its ‘lack of sympathy’ for the farmers. OPCC vice-president Sibananda Ray and general secretary Arjya Kumar Gyanendra also took a dig at the Naveen Government for not initiating any step to arrest suicide by farmers.

 The OPCC Odisha Khet Mazdoor Congress has alleged that during the last 12 years of Naveen Patnaik rule, 2,972 farmers have committed suicides due to loan burden. The farmers’ cell of the OPCC has decided to visit all the districts to study the problems, faced by the farmers, and pressurise the State Government to initiate remedial measures.