State-Sponsored Murder of Farmers in Odisha- A fact-finding Report

State-Sponsored Murder of Farmers in Odisha

A Ground Zero Fact-Finding Report

On

Farmers’ Suicide in Odisha

Report prepared by:  Right to Food Campaign, Odisha 

 1.      Introduction

Odisha is an agrarian State.  Agriculture constitutes main source of livelihood of the people and rainfall is the main source of water for agriculture. The state’s economy also revolves around agriculture. Total cultivable land of the state is 61.80 lakhs hect. out of which 47% of land is high land, 28% middle land and 25% low land. Out of total 96 lakh families in the state, 33 lakh families have less than one acre of land holding which is just 19.21 hect. of agricultural land. Around 9 lakh families who are cultivating 14.97 lakh hectors of land own just one to two acres per family. Similarly, 9.18 lakh hectors of land is cultivated by 31.11 lakh families who are owner of 2 to 4 acres of land each. As per Govt. statistics, 62 lakh families    depend on agriculture to eke out their living, of them 50 lakhs families borrow land from others for share-cropping along with their own cultivation.  Besides these, 24 lakh landless families also borrow land for share-cropping and manage their family with the meagre income obtained from the production. In Toto,   80% of the farmers who depend on agriculture for livelihood are share-croppers.

Due to various reasons including lackadaisical Agriculture Policy of the state Government, wrong fixation of minimum support price, sometimes denial of MSP, lack of marketing facility for sale of agriculture produces, rising rate of input cost of the agriculture, the farmers have been impoverished and left cultivation finding it non-viable for survival. The contribution of agriculture to State Gross Domestic Product has been reduced to 12.33 percent only. The State Govt. has miserably failed to boost agricultural economy of the state. Less that 35% of the land is irrigated.  The famers are forced to depend on rain fall for cultivation. In case any change in course of rainfall, the agriculture is bound to suffer. This year, due to scanty and erratic rainfall, most of the paddy land grown has been damaged. Generally, the poor farmers use to grow crop   by borrowing loans from Bank and Money lenders.  It has been reported that more than 130 farmers have committed suicide due to crop failure.   As per the Drought Report released by Govt. in November, 2015, a total of 25 districts out of 30, 173 Blocks and 8.82 lakhs of agricultural land have been affected, the State Govt. has sought central assistance of Rs.2100 crores to mitigate the drought situation. Despite severity of the issues and increasing number of reported cases of farmers’ suicide and above all continuing protest by opposition political parties and Farmers’ Organisation, the Govt. is hell-bent to deny Farmers’ suicide  and  also continuing to do so.

2.      Fact-finding Visit- Why it was thought of

The issue of farmers suicide   has become matter of controversy  in the midst  of repeated  denial  by the ruling  party  and  blistering attack  of the opposition parties accusing the ruling BJD government and making it responsible for this tragedy  in the state.   The real issue like crop failure as well as plight of the Small and Marginal farmers has been sidelined in the accusation and counter-accusation made by the political parties against each other.   In view of the deplorable situation of the agriculture and deteriorating   condition of the farmers, it was thought of by the various civil society groups to make a fact-finding visits to ascertain the facts about the genuineness of the alleged suicides, the reasons behind it and the socio-economic condition of the family of the famers who committed suicide vis-a-vis the support, if any provided by the Govt.  etc. It was decided to have spot verification through visiting the families of the victim, interacting with family members, villagers, Village heads, PRI members, Govt Officials and other concerned.

Accordingly, 5 Fact-finding Teams consisting of 23 members including Activists, Journalists and Advocates were constituted in the month of November 2015 under the banner of Right to Food Campaign, Odisha to visit to different districts to collect information at village level. It was also decided to file RTI Applications and was also submitted to various Departments of Government i.e., Dept. of Agriculture, Revenue and Disaster Management, Dept. of Cooperation etc.  Seeking information about the drought issue and   copy of the enquiry report submitted by the District Collectors. The Fact-finding Team visited 10 districts like Bolangir, Nuapara, Kalahandi, Nawaragpur, Baragarh, Mayurbhanj, Ganjam,  Koraput, Khurda, Cuttack, Angul and Nayagarh from 25^th November to 10^th  December 2015.  The prominent figures  who led the  Team are  Sri Sudarsha Chhotaray, Journalist-cum Activist, Sri Sudhir Mohanty, advocate, Sri Pratap Sahu, Sri Dibakar Nayak, Sri Khirod Sahu, Smt. Sanjukta Panigarhi and many others. The names of the Members of Fact-finding Team are available in Annexture-1. The Team visited 30 families to enquire into details of the farmers’ suicide and documented all these cases after discussing with the family members, villagers, visiting their agriculture field seeing their crops, verifying documents available with them. Out of 30 cases, the Team convinced of 25 cases as genuine cases with all documentary  proof to justify    crop failure  and loan burden as important reasons for  farmers’ suicide in Odisha. 

The details of cases of Farmers’ Suicide enquired by the Fact-finding Team to ascertain the fact about allegations in different districts of Odisha ( Description  about Case-wise Farmers’ Suicide is attached in Annexture-2)

Sl.No	Name of District	Name of Block	Name of village	Name of the Farmers committed suicide	Age	Caste	Reason of Suicide	Date of Suicide
1	Cuttack	Tangi-Choudwar	Ramachandra Pur	Indramani Singh	49	ST	Crop loss and Loan Burden	19.11.15
2	Dhenkanal	Dhenkanal Sadar	Regada Village	Prasanna Kumar Jena	35	OBC	DO	6.11.15
3	Cuttack	Athagarh	Patanda	Sanjay Pradhan	24	OBC	DO	5.11.15
4	Dhenkanal	Dhenkanal Sadar	Sankulei	Baidhar Pradhan	70	ST	DO	25.10.15
5	Khurda	Bolagada	Badapadar	Abhimanyu Baliarsingh	50	OBC	DO	10.10.15
6	Khurda	Begunia	Goda	Jugal Bagh Singh	62	OBC	DO	10.11.15
7	Bolangir	Tureikela	Ramod	Krutibas Gahir	50	OBC	DO	30.11.15
8	Bolangir	Belapara	Jamjori	Gurubaru Sahu	35	OBC	DO	7.11.15
9	Bolangir	Patnagarh	Dandrabahal	Bhakta Dharua	60	ST	DO	8.10.15
10	Baragarh	Bhatli	Tukula	Magasira Majhi	55	ST	DO	13.10.15
11	Baragarh	Bhatli	Sirabahal	Pabitra Bariha	19	ST	DO	26.10.15
12	Baragarh	Barapali	Kadalipali	Harihar Budhia	45	OBC	DO	19.7.15
13	Baragarh	Gaisilet	Sahajbahal	Asarpi Pradhan	40	OBC	DO	24.10.15
14	Baragarh	Gaisilet	Mudapali	Makhan Sa	53	OBC	DO	26.11.15
15	Nuapara	Boden	Khirmal	Dharmu Ada	35	ST	DO	29.11.15
16	Nuapara	Khariar	Barapadar	Bhubaneswar Behera	65	ST	DO	22.10.15
17	Mayurbhanj	Sukruli	Haladia	Paramashwar Nayak	28	ST	DO
18	Jajpur	Sukinda	Garamian	Sadhu Laguri	56	ST	DO	31.10.15
19	Kalahandi	Kokasara	Brahmariguda	Baladev Majhi	62	ST	DO	29.10.15
20	Kalahandi	Dharamgarh	Dhanarpur	Bira Majhi	60	ST	DO	11.11.15
21	Angul	Chhendipada	Kitha  Sahi	Sahadev Dehury	65	OBC	DO	30.10.15
22	Koraput	Kundra	Ekataguda	Chandra Kaudia	48	ST	DO	5.11.15
23	Koraput	jeypore	Bhajiguda	Laba Harijan	58	SC	DO	7.11.2015
24	Nayagarh	Ranpur	Raipada	Laxmidhar Bhatta	48	OBC	DO	1.11.15
25	Jajpur	Badachana
The Cases of Farmers’ suicide  which are  not considered  as genuine cases by the Fat-Finding Team
26	Angul	Angul Block Sadar	Banspal	Abhaya Biswal	33	OBC	Death may be due to some other reasons	5.11.15
27	Angul	Chhendipada	Khamar	Prafulla Bagh	23	OBC	DO	9.11.15
28	Nawarangpur	Nandadihi	Puruapani	Bhaga Paika	35	ST	DO
29	Khurda	Begunia	Sanapadar	Radhamohan Nayak	70+	OBC	DO
30	Cuttack	Tangi-Choudwar	Agrahata	Bhagaban Sahu	70+	OBC	DO	5.11.15

3.      Govt. inquiry Report  on Farmers’ Suicide  in Odisha, Provided  by  Different districts in November and December’ 2015 in response to  RTI  applications filed on 28.10.15 

  

Name of District	Date of supply of information	Name of Block	Name of farmers who committed suicide	Reason of suicide	Action taken  by the  Administration for  the family / any compensation awarded
Koraput	07/11/2015	Kundra	Chandra Kaudia	Exact reason is not known but not due to crop failure. As yield obtained from crop cutting experiment ( 5 Mtr x5 Mtr) conducted after his death found to be better than normal yield rate of the Block.	Yet to be taken as the case is of 5.11.2015
Balasore	09/11/2015	Sadar Block	Sri Ram Ch. Sahu	Family Problems	Not available
		Remuna	Bimbadhar Barik	Family Problem	Not available
		Remuna	Purnna Ch. Behera	Family Problem	Not available
		Khaira	Laxmidhar Behera	Family Problem	Not available
Khurda	21/11/2015	Bolagarh	Abimanyu Baliarsingh	Loan, Hand loan, Family quarrel, and drinking of alcohol etc.	Not available
		Bologarh	Radhamohan Nayak	Crop damage, Loan and old age	Not available
		Begunia	Jugal Baliarsingh	Family trouble, Loan	Not Available
Balasore	24/11/2015	Sadar	Ram Ch. Sahu	Death due to suicide cannot be attributed to crop loss
		Remuna	Purna Ch. Behera	Death due to mental tension not due to crop loss
		Remuna	Bimbadhar Barik	Death due to quarrel in their family not due to crop loss
		Khaira	Laxmidhar Bahalia	Death due to family disturbance not due to crop loss
		Bhogarai	Ramkrushna Nayak	Death due to family disturbance not due to crop loss
		Soro	Paramananda Ghadei	Death due to suicide cannot be attributed to crop loss
Cuttack	28/11/2015	Banki-1	Banka Bihari Rout	The mental pressure due to hand loan taken from the neighbourers and SHGs for his daughter’s marriage and funeral rites of his deceased mother may be the reason for his suicide. However, police is investigating the matter to find out the actual reasons behind his suicide.	Information is not available
		Athagarh	Sankar Behera	The death of Sankar is not due to crop loss. It may be due to his constant pressure of debt family quarrel. Due to his family disturbance.	Information is not available
		Athagarh	Hadibandhu Mallick	The deceased Hadibandhu’s family is coming under BPL category and he was also an OAP beneficiary. His wife Basanti Mallick is also an OAP beneficiary. They have also been allotted one house under IAY and they are staying in the said house. It is a baseless and fabricated allegation. He committed suicide due to family problems.	Information is not available.
		Salepur	Hrusikesh Jena	From 14.10.2015 to 23.10.2015 he was under treatment and got expired on 23.10.2015 due to high blood pressure as stated by his wife. Not farmer suicide case as ascertained from joint enquiry.	Information is not available.
		Tangi-choudwar	Subash Sahoo	The joint enquiry team is of the view that the death is not a suicide death  due to crop loss	Information is not available
		Tangi-choudwar	Bhagaban Sahoo	The joint enquiry team is of the view that the death is not a suicide death  due to crop loss	Information is not available
Sundargarh	21/11/2015	Nil	NA	NA	NA
Puri	20/11/2015	Nil	NA	NA	NA
Gajpati	28/11/2015	Nil	NA	NA	NA
Kandhamal	27-11-2015	Nil	NA	NA	NA
Mayurbhanj	7.11.15	Betnoti	Krishna Soren	Not due to debt burden	Inquiry Report submitted to Govt.
Do	7.11.15	Rairangpur	Harendra Bindhani	Not due to money lending	DO
Do	7.11.15	Badasahi	Sibasankar  Singh	Due to domestic quarrel	DO
DO	7.11.15	Jamda	Gangaram Baonda	Due to mental disturbance	DO
Keonjhar	19.11.15	Pandapada	Santosh Kumar Patra	High Blood Pressure	Inquiry Report submitted to Govt.
DO	28.10.15	Keonjhar	Desha Dehury	Not due to crop loss and debt burden	DO
DO	26.10.2015	Champua NAC	Jalandhar Naik	Family disturbance	DO
DO	28.10.15	Ramchandra Pur	Gangadhar Behera	Family burden	DO

4.      Details of Analysis of the Cases of Farmers’ Suicide

A. During Fact-finding visits, the Team members   had tried to critically examine the socio-economic condition of the farmers who have   committed suicide. It was  found  that  all are poor and BPL card  holders except  one  Sri Baladev Majhi  of Kalahandi who was APL Card holder  and  was receiving  25 kg rice per month,  at the rate  Rs.1/- per kg. Most of the dwelling houses, we had visited were thatched and few owned pucca houses also.  It was also observed that the economic conditions of most of the farmers were poor, miserable and were living on pittance.

B. It was interesting to note here that people of different groups i.e., young, middle-aged and old farmers have committed suicide.  The age group of the farmers committed suicide is from 19 to 70 years old. It  is proved  that  the  person  who  was managing  cultivation  and taking  all burdens of  family  and   cultivating   land  with    all pains  and hardships  and investing money  has  committed suicide after  getting hopeless  due to crop loss.

C. All the  farmers who committed suicide  are  small and Marginal farmers  except   one family  Madhab Bariha is having 12 acres  of  land whose  son aged 19 years  committed  suicide.  The land holding of the farmers   ranges from one acre to six acres.  Maximum lands are high land and produces less quantity of yield. As reported by the family members of Krutibas  Gahir  of Tureikela Block of  Bolangir  district,  in normal period, they  get  6 to 7  quintals of paddy per acre.   As agriculture becoming increasingly less beneficial and people whose only source of living was agriculture; after seeing the reality of crop loss and severe drought situation opted to migrate to other states, those who left in village, they worked as a wage labourer. 

D. It was found that all the lands are rain-fed. There is no irrigation facility to the land of any farmer who committed suicide.   One young boy, Sanjay Pradhan aged 24, who was looking after the agriculture work of his family since last three years, due to chronic illness of his parents; lost all hope this year.  Sanjaya was using kerosene pump to lift water purchased on loan to irrigate his small patch of land where he grows vegetable.  As the land is rain-fed and due to no irrigation facility; any change in rain fall brings disaster for the farmers. And that happened this year.

E. While visiting the agriculture field, the team   observed that 70 to 90% of paddy or cotton production has been lost or damaged.  For example, during visit of the team to Tukula village under Bhatli Block of Baragarh district, Sudhanshu Meher,a farmer  said that generally, the farmers produce 18 quintals of paddy per acre  in normal period.  But this year due to drought situation and crop loss, the final yield will be less than 6 quintal per acre. Many of the families also said that they had not expected any yield   from the field.  So, it is complete loss of crop this year in many areas of the state.

F. It  deserves  to mention here that,  no farmer  has  received any   support  in terms of seed, fertiliser, pesticide  at subsidised  rate  for the  cultivation. They have purchased the same from local shop owners on loan or   from local market by borrowing hand loan or from money lenders or women SHGs.

G. It was also found that every Victim family is a loanee and borrowed loan for cultivation. Many of the farmers have received loan from Cooperative Bank, State Bank of India, Union Bank of India etc. Besides that they have also borrowed loan from relatives, Women SHGs and from Money lenders etc.  Many  farmers   have  also taken loan from Sahukars  ( money lenders )  due to their lack of  accessibility   to get  loan from   Financial  Institutions.  It was found that many farmers have brought huge loan from different people, bank and cooperatives. For Example, Asarpi Pradhan, a woman farmer of Baragarh district had taken loan to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh loan (Rs. 30,000.00 from money lenders at the rate of 10% per month   and Rs. 60,000.00 from Cooperative Society at the rate of 7% per year.). Similarly  , Sri Baidhar Budia of Kadalipali village  of Barapali Block of Baragarh  district  who committed suicide  had   borrowed  around Rs. 2 lakh  from  Banks  and  Cooperatives.  These loans have been made not only for agriculture but for the family needs also.  With growing crop,   they were quite hopeful of getting a good harvest. So that they could repay the loan. But their hope shattered due to crop failure. Finding no solution to get rid the crisis, they committed suicide.

H. The private money lending system, method of allotment of loan and exorbitant interest demanded by them is one of the major factors for farmers’ suicide and impoverishisation of the family. For example, SKS Micro-Finance Company which gives small amount of loan through women SHGs uses to collect money monthly. But L & T Finance Company uses to collect loan amount every week.   While interacting with the family members of Prasanna Kumar Jena who committed suicide and villagers of Usadihi of Dhenkanal Sadar Block, it was felt that the systems for repayment of loan of both the Companies are very humiliating. Each Company has formed 5-member woman Group (SHG) and gives loan to all the members and fix responsibility on them for collection or repayment. If one member does not repay the loan, other members will repay his pending loan amount. In case of default by a member, other members adopt various coercive and humiliating tactics to collect loan amount from the defaulting member. As per the arrangement of SKS Finance,    each loanee member is required to repay a fixed amount of loan in every week. Similarly, under arrangement of L & T Finance Company, each loanee is required to repay a fixed amount of loan in every month. These companies and women SHGs charge    exorbitant amount of interest starting from 5 % to 10%.  Out of compulsion and finding no ways to meet the financial crisis, the farmers are forced to receive/ seek the loan for cultivation and family at exorbitant interests.   Sometimes, Institutional loan is not sufficient for cultivation.

I. Pressure by the Money lender, Women SHGs or Non-Financial Institutions (MFIs) for re-payment of loan is always on farmers throughout the year.  The weekly or monthly repayment of the loan by a poor farmer is very difficult task. In case of non-payment of loan, they get very humiliated by the neighbourers who are in the group as members.

J. The Farmers’ suicide has greatly affected the academic career of the children.  In Ramachandrapur village of Tangi-Choudwar block of Cuttack  district, Padmini Sinku, +2 (Second year) student  and daughter of Indramani Sinku who committed suicide due to crop loss  could not fill up the Form for second year exam due to financial crisis. However, the volunteers of Right to Food Campaign, Odisha helped her fillip up the Form by paying exam fee. Similarly,  Rina Budhia, +3 ( 1^st ) year student of Barapali College and daughter of Harihar Badia of Kadalipali village  of Baragarh district committed suicide, is facing bleak future in her academic career . The hildren were also found suffering from psychological trauma due to hopeless future created by their fathers who committed suicide.

k. During interaction  with the family members, the  Fact-finding team  had asked  whether  they were aware  about   Special Package  declared  by Chief Minister for drought-affected people, they  had  expressed their   ignorance  about it.

L. The Team members  had also  asked each family  to know  their  expectation of any support  from Govt. Few  family members  had suggested for  waiver of loan  and support for   education of the children and Govt. Service  for the children.  Many families could not respond anything except their helplessness.   

5-Recommendation of the Team:

A. Since beginning the Government has been denying that farmers’ suicide is due to crop loss and loan burden. After the cases of farmers’ suicide reported/ exposed in mass media, the  Ministers for  the  Dept of Revenue and Disaster Management, Agriculture and Cooperation  have given both controversial and contradictory statements  about farmers suicides;  alleging  that  this is a manufactured story  of Media  and opposition political parties  and designed to defame the Govt.  During visits,  it was  found that whenever alleged farmers’ suicide  is reported in media,  the administration  mostly lower level officials  like  Tahasildar,  BDO, Revenue Inspectors   had visited  the  family  and  given  each family  Rs.5,000.00 to Rs.20,000.00 released  from Red Cross Fund by the Collector.  The police had seized the dead body and sent for post-mortem.  Samaranch also released Rs.2000.00 under Harischandra Yojana (a support for funeral pyre of the deceased).  But the Fact-finding Team substantiates the fact that the farmers have committed suicide due to crop failure and loan burden. So, it  is suggested  that  the  State  should accept  the  reality  of the  precarious situation of the farmers  and  should be sensible to their sufferings  and    admit that farmers’ are committing suicide  due to  crop failure and  loan burden.

B. A Judicial enquiry should  be  conducted  to  enquire  into  details of the factors/ reason  for  farmers’ suicide,  their socio-economic condition,  situation of crop, family  burden  etc.  And suggest details of measures to be taken to check farmer’s suicide   and intervention of the Govt. to deal alleged farmers’ suicide, if any reported by media. 

C. Each family of cases of Farmers’ suicide   should be supported financially for their sustained livelihood, waiver of loan or repayment of loan by Govt.

D. The Govt. should ensure irrigation to agricultural land of all small and marginal farmers by setting up Lift Irrigation points or providing dug-well and supply of subsidised electricity.  So that paddy production will not be affected due to change in rainfall.

E. Each farmer should be supplied electricity at the subsidised rate for cultivation.

F. Loan burden has become the major factor for suicidal death of the farmers.  Due to non-availability of loan from Financial Institutions, the farmers are forced to   get loan from private money lenders who exploit them charging exorbitant interests. The farmers of Western Odisha are founding paying interest of 10% of principal amount per month.  So, keeping it in view, it is suggested that the Govt.  Should ensure availability of Institutional loan like cooperative loan  required at the door step of the  small and marginal farmers through Cooperative Society at 1 percent interest minimum for 3 years.

G. Most of the land is high lands which are not viable for cultivation. The State should undertake massive land-levelling work under MGNREGA across the state.

H. As the farmers  are very poor  and  dependent  on agriculture  which does not give them  sustained income, the Govt. should provide them  wage employment under NREGA throughout the year and payment must be made  to them  within 3 days . 

I. The State Government should take the  responsibility of bearing all the cost for education of the children of all the farmers  who committed suicide. 

k. The State Govt. Should frame a law for protection of share-coppers by amending Odisha Land reforms Act.

Report prepared by

Pradip Pradhan                     Sudarshan Chhotray                         Sudhir  Mohanty

M-9937843482                       M-9337111879                                   M-9861063290

Annexture-1

Name of the Members of Fact-finding Team who visited different districts to ascertain the fact about alleged Farmers’ Suicide in Odisha from 25^th Nov. to 10^th Dec.15 ( Annexture-1)

Sl. No	Name of members of Fact-finding Team	Name of the Organisation	Mobile No	Districts visited
1	Pradip Pradhan, State Convener	Right to Food Campaign, Odisha	9937843482	Khurda, Cuttack, Dhenkanaal, Jajpur, Bolangir, Baragarh
2	Pratap Sahu	Convener, Basti Sangharash Samiti, Bhubaneswar	9040667449	Cuttack
3	Sachikant Pradhan, Social Activist	Member, Odisha Nagarik Samaj	9439487471	Cuttack
4	Sudhir Mohanty	Advocate, Odisha High Court	9861063290	Khurda, Dhenkanal
5	Khirod Routray	Core Body- Member, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha	9861115483	Cuttack
6	Srikant Pakal,	Core-Body Member, Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan	9338455092	Cuttack
7	Sudarshan Chhotaray	Journalist and Activist	9337111879	Angul and Khurda
8	Sanjukta Panigrahi	Woman Activist, Bhubaneswar	9238598756	Angul and Khurda
9	Sanjeeb Kumar Padhi	Social Activist, Bhawaipatna		Kalahandi
10	Kumunda Ranjan Nayak	Journalsit, Bhawanipatna		Kalahandi
11	Shankar Prasad panigrahi	Member, Odisha Soochana adhikar Abhijan	8456021014	Bolangir
12	Satya Banchhor	Human Rights Activist, Bolangir	9438739867	Bolagir
13	Jati Pradhan	Farmers’ Leader, Patnagarh	9937689425	Bolangir
14	Laxmikant Mohanta,	Social Activist, CREFTDA, Jashipur, Mayurbhanj		Mayurbhanj
15	Gayatri Mohanta,	Social Activist, CREFTDA, Jashipur, Mayurbhanj		Mayurbhanj
16	Chandra Prakash Patnaik	Social Activist, Choudwar		Cuttack
17	Ramesh Swain	Social Activist, Choudwar		Cuttack
18	Pratap Kumar Jena	Social Activist, Choudwar		Cuttack
19	Tapan Rout	Social Activist, Anchalika Bikash Manch, Sukinda		Jajpur
20	Dola Gobinda Mohanta	Do		Jajpur
21	Umakant Sahu	Social Activist, Samuhik Marudi Pratikar Udyam ( SMPU), Paikamal		Baragarh
22	Jogendra Sahu	Social Activist, Samuhik Marudi Pratikar Udyam ( SMPU), Paikamal		Baragarh
23	Ramesh Mohapatra	Framer, Baragarh		Baragarh

Annexture-2

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.1

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sri Indramani Singh , aged 49  of ST community of   Ramchandra Pur village  under Tangi-Choudwar Block of Cuttack district Under Athagarh Assembly  Constituency

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:                   25.11.15

Despondent met by   the Team

1.         Sukalal Sinku, elder son  of deceased Farmer

2.         Krutibas Birua, Village Leader

3.         Debendra Nath Pandab, Sarapanch 

Indramani Singh, ST aged 49, BPL Card holder of Ramachandrapur  village under Mangaraj Pur Gram Panhayat  in Tangi-Choudwar Block of  Cuttack  district  committed  suicide  by taking poison  ( insecticide )  in his house  on 19.11.15 at 8.30 PM. He was survived by his wife Kamala Singh and two sons and two daughters. While the elder  son has got married, one daughter   is working as  Helper  in Anganwadi Centre  and another  one   reading  in + 2 ( Arts )  in  Gokhel Adarsha College.  The family is having a thatched house.  Though a house under Indira Awas Yojana  was  sanctioned  two years back, it has remained half-constructed till yet. On query about non-completion of the building, the family members could not give any articulate reply. 

Indramani was the lone bread-earner of the family.  With his own one acre of land, he  was cultivating another two acres of land as a share-cropper since a few years.  Both the lands are  rain-fed and yielding 10 quintal of paddy per acre in a normal  session.  Except paddy neither vegetable nor any other crop is cultivated in his land. There is no irrigation facility in that area. During interaction with Sarapanch, he said that there is a Minor Irrigation Project called Dolambandh located at the distance of a few kms from the village. But the water of the said MIP does not reach to the agricultural land of Ramachandra Pur village. However, the family members said that they were paying water tax to the Tahasildar, as their land comes under the command area of the said MIP. Indramani was managing the family by cultivating the land which was the only source of the livelihood. His elder son sometimes works as a daily wage labourer and supplements the family income. The family members mentioned that so far as their knowledge went, he had borrowed Rs. 20,000.00 from the villagers as hand loan to purchase seed, fertiliser etc. for cultivation.  He had also borrowed money from other people as hand loan, the source of which is not known to the family members. Due to   drought and consequent crop loss, Indramani suffered from serious tension and got mentally disturbed, used to keep unusually silent most of the time avoiding to talk to anybody.  Even when the family members tried to talk with him, he avoided speaking anything.  Being eaten by severe tension, he was also eating a very low amount of food.  As transpired from the narration by the family members, crop loss and ensuing failure to repayment of the loans coupled with compulsion to share away 50% of the paddy produce to the owner are the major contributing factor behind tragic death of  Indramani.

Debendra Nath Pandab, Village leader who was very close to Indramani recounted the impression of Indramai saying that being  a very sensitive person , Indramani got  mentally disturbed and remaining  brooding over his sad fate caused by crop loss.  He was all the while down with the scary thought – how to manage the family this year.  According to Pandab, Such predicament never foreseen by Indramani might be the reason for his suicide.

 After the suicidal death of Indramani, his dead body was post-mortemed  by the police on 20.11.15. Tahasildar and Revenue Inspector along with Sri  S.K.Shahajan, BJD Vice-President  visited the spot. Mr. Sahajahan had given Rs.3,500/- to the family out of compassion.  Neither the Collector nor local MLA visited Indramani’s home.   On query about the support obtained if any under various Govt. schemes, the family members said that they are BPL card holder but have not received new Ration Card yet under National Food Security Act. Mr. Sukalal Sinku, elder son of Indramani    alleged that they had not got any work under NREGA in this year.  On a query about whether they were  aware  about  the agriculture package declared for farmers by Chief Minister, Odisha, they expressed their ignorance  about it.

During interaction, Padmini Sinku, Idramani’s daughter and a  + 2 Students  said that she could not fill up the form for + 2 Exam due to want of money and death of his father.  The Team members assured her their support in this regard  and later on contributed and deposited  Rs.700 /-  as exam fees in  the College for her.  On a query about any further assistance required for family from the Govt., the family members could not specifically suggest anything except their helplessness.  

Observation of Team

While  observing  the whole gamut of the issue, the Team is of the view that it is clear-cut suicide case. Finding no avenues for survival and to manage the family due to crop loss and pressure for loan repayment, he committed suicide at last. His death can not be compensated by  few amount of financial support  but it is required for the family to survive  and to stand to work for future.

Members of Fact-finding Team  who visited the family are  as follows.

1.      Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

2.      Pratap Sahu, Convener, Basti Sanghrsa Samiti

3.      Sachikant Pradhan, Member, Odisha Nagarik  Samaj

4.      Sudhir Mohanty , Advocate, Odisha High Court

5.      Khirod Routray, Core-Body Member, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

6.      Srikant Pakal, Core-Body Member, Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan  

7.      Chandra Prakash Patnaik,  Social Activist, Choudwar

8.      Ramesh Swain, Social Activist, Choudwar

9.      Pratap Kumar Jena, Social Activist, Choudwar

10.  Jayant Mohapatra, Social Activist, houdwar

11.  Prakash Ch. Badjena, Social Activist, Choudwar

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.2

Suicidal Death of a young Farmer Prasanna Kumar Jena, aged 35, OBC of Usadihi (Hamlet) of Regada Revenue village under Dhenkanal Sadar Block of Dhenkanal district

Date of Visit of the Fact-Finding Team:       28.11.15

Respondents met by the Team

a.      Subash ch. Patnaik, Village leader

b.      Madhab Ch. Dehuri, Village Leader

c.       Pravat Jena, Brother of deceased

Prasanna Kumar Jena, aged 35  belonging  to agricultural  Community, OBC  of Regeda  village  under Dhenkanal Sadar Block of Dhenkanal district  committed suicide  by consuming  poison  on 6.11.15  at 12 o’clock due  to crop loss and pressure  for  repayment of loan.  He was survived  by  his wife,  Mother, one half-mad sister  and one child reading in school.   His family belongs to BPL category and recently enrolled as beneficiary Card under National Food Security Act.   The family lives in two-room thatched house. Prasanna had been cultivating his only 0.5 Ac of agriculture land,  2 Ac land of Bhaskar Sahu, Tenant and 0.5 Ac of Temple Land ( Kotha Jami)   on share-cropping. The land is rain-fed and do not give much yield (only 8 quintal of rice during normal period). Though a Lift-Irrigation Point has been installed on the bank of Kanthia river nearby village by Lift Irrigation Dept., it is lying defunct for several years.   

Prasanna is the lone bread-earner of the family. Finding insufficient income from cultivation, he was also working as daily wage labourer.  Remaining always in financial crisis, he had borrowed loan from different private finance Institutions for personal work and agriculture purpose. With this money, he had cultivated paddy by using tractor, power tiller, fertiliser and insecticide etc. This year he had borrowed through his wife money Rs. 15,000/- from SKS Micro Finance and Rs. 14,000/- from L & T Finance Company Limited. He had also borrowed through his wife loan Rs.15, 000/- from SKS Finance last year and almost repaid  Rs. 12,000/-. It was learnt that the system for repayment of loan of both the Companies is very humiliating. Each Company has formed 5-member woman Group (SHG) and gives loan to all the members and fix responsibility on them for repayment. If one member does not repay the loan, other members will repay his pending loan amount. In case of default by a member, other members adopt various coercive and humiliating tactics to collect loan amount from the defaulting member. As per arrangement of SKS Finance,    each loanee member is required to repay a fixed amount of loan in every week. Similarly, under arrangement of L & T Finance Company, each loanee is required to repay a fixed amount of loan in every month. For example, if someone has been sanctioned Rs.15, 000/- as loan, he or she is required to repay loan in17 months ( Rs.500/- per month). In this case, if someone fails to repay in every month,  then she got default and tortured, humiliated by other group members. This time,  due to crop loss and  financial crisis, he lost the hope of  repaying  the loan and got terribly humiliated. As reported by his wife, on the day of death, he was required to repay the loan to both the Finance Institutions. He was under metal pressure due to crop loss and repayment of loan. Finding no way for solution, he committed suicide in his house. After his death, the family has been hopeless ad facig dark future.

As shared by the village leaders, Tahasildar along with Revenue Inspector, Agricultural Officer  visited his house and provided financial support of  Rs. 10,000/-   released from  Red Cross Fund by the Collector.  They  also assessed the crop loss by visiting the agriculture field. Sri Nidhi Samal, political leader gave  financial support of Rs. 4,000/- . Sri Saroj Shamal, MLA had never visited. No money under Harishchandra Yojana has been received so far to the family.  On query about support required, the family members suggested pension under Old Age pension Scheme and National Widow Pension Scheme, waiver of loan and support for education of the children.

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that though he is a young farmer, he could not face the unprecedented situation emerged due to crop failure and humiliation suffered from private Financial Institutions due to non-payment of loan. Left in a hopeless world and probably finding no way to repay the loan, he was mentally disturbed and ends his life and committed suicide. His family will continue to suffer, unless they are provided substantial financial support.

 Members of Fact-finding Team who visited the village are as follows.

12.  Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

13.  Sudarshan Chhotaray, Journalist

14.  Abdul Walli, Social Activist

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.3

Suicidal Death of a farmer Sanjay Pradhan, aged 24 belonging to OBC of Patanda village under Athagarh Block of Cuttack district coming under Athagarh Assembly Constituency. 

Date of Visit of the Fact-Finding Team:       28.11.15

Respondents met by  the Team

a.      Jugal Pradhan, Father of Deceased

b.      Panchanan Pradhan, Uncle of Deceased

c.       Other Villagers

Sanjay Pradhan, aged 24 unmarried of General Community of Patanda village of Athagarh Block of Cuttack district committed suicide by consuming poison on 5.11.15.  Sanjay had been looking into cultivation since last 3 years after his father being suffered from disease and subsequently remained bed-ridden.  He was cultivating 0.5 Ac of his own land along with 1.5 Acs of land being share-cropped. As his elder brother got separated from the family, Sanjay had taken all the burden of the family and looking after old father and mother. Finding no loan facility from Finance Institutions, he borrowed loan around Rs. 1.5 lakh from private persons for cultivation.  With investment of the said amount, he had cultivated paddy, vegetables like Potala, Cauliflower etc.  As the land is rain-fed, he had purchased a kerosene pump used to irrigate the vegetable crop by lifting water from dug-well. Due to scanty rain and subsequent crop loss due to pest attack, he mentally broke down and remained under tension on the pretext of getting no benefit from it. To add his woes, the people who had given loan started asking him for repayment. This unexpected burden terribly disturbed him and forced him to commit suicide, told his father during interview with members of Fact-finding Team. The parents have become hopeless, as they do not have anybody to look after them. On query to know about the name of the people who had given loan to Sanjay, the parents expressed ignorance about it. The Team also came to know that paddy crop of all the farmers suffered in the village.

After his death, Tahasildar, Revenue Inspector, Police had come to his house. Tahasildar had given Rs. 5,000/- as assistance to the family. They had assessed the crop loss by visiting the agricultural field. Neither Collector nor MLA had visited his house.  The parents are found terribly under mental pressure by losing their son. On query to know about their expectation from the Government, his father sought support for repayment of loan and their living.

Observation ‘of the Team

It was observed that Sanjay was a bachelor, he took all the burden of the family and looked after his old father and mother who were found suffering from multiple disease. He struggled   hard  for income of the family  by giving much emphasis  on cultivation  which  was the only source of income. Being under-Metric, he might have thought of getting no job in any place except the cultivation. He invested huge money in agriculture to yield more to gain much benefit for family income. But his hope dashed out due to failure of crop. As he is young with high expectation, he could not withstand against unprecedented situation and decided to kill himself.

Members of Fact-finding Team who visited and interacted with the affected family are as follows.

15.  Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

16.  Sudarshan Chhotaray, Journalist

17.  Abdul Walli, Social Activist

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.4

Suicidal Death of Baidhar Pradhan, aged 70  belonging to ST community of Sankulei village under Dhenkanal Sadar  block of Dhenkanal district

Date of Visit of  Fact-finding Team :            28.11.15

Respondents met by  the Team

1.      Chhabi Sahu

2.      Shyam sundar Pradhan and other villagers

Baidhar Pradhan, aged 70 of ST Community committed suicide  by taking poison on 21.10.15  and died on 25.10.15 after being hospitalised in M.K.C.G. Hospital, Cuttack. The family spent around Rs. 35,000/- towards treatment of Baidhar, but in vain.  Baidhar was surviving by wife and two married sons. The family comes under BPL category and provided new Ration Card under National Food Security Act. His sons are daily wage labourer. The Team felt that the living standard of the family was miserable. Biadhar was very hard working  and laborious farmer. The family is having only  1  Ac land . He had cultivated one Acre of land along with  other 3 Ac of land on share-cropping pattern. All the land is un-irrigated. Generally, the success of cultivation depends on good rainfall.  This year, due to scanty ad erratic rainfall, the paddy crop grown by Baidhar got lost. He had borrowed hand  loan around Rs.70,000.00 from different people for  cultivation. He had purchased seed, fertiliser, insecticide  for paddy cultivation and was quite hopeful to get good crop. The private loan received from different people is as follows.

Sl.No	Name of the persons	Amount borrowed
1	Mathura Pradhan	20,000.00
2	Shyam Pradhan	10,000.00
3	Dama Pradhan	7,000.00
4	Ramesh	8,000.00
5	Hadu Nana	20,000.00
	Total	65,000.00

It was also found that  a  loan  amount of  Rs. 31,500/- was found lying against him in  Tarava Primary Cooperative Society  last  few years.  Being defaulter in Cooperative Society and finding no other avenues to get loan from any Financial Institutions, he approached the persons stated above known to him to get the money for investment in agriculture. He got frustrated, when he found the crop lost due to drought situation. He found himself hopeless to repay the loan as he assured them to repay after cultivation.  He got mentally disturbed for few days and took poison in the agricultural land. On query  about quantity of crop loss due to drought situation,  the villagers  presented a rough calculation and said that they could hardly get 20 Gauni Paddy ( One quintal of paddy) from one acre of land against 8 quintals in normal period.    On query to know about any assistance received for paddy cultivation,  the family members said  “No”.  Due to lack of water, Baidhar was not cultivating any vegetable crop.  Though he was having Job Card, he  was not provided ay work under NREGA.

After his death, the  Tahasildar  and Revenue Inspector  had visited  his house and offered Rs. 10,000.00 sanctioned  from Red Cross Fund. The National President of BJP Krushak Morcha had given Rs. 10,000.00  and Nidhi Samal, Loal political leader had  provided  support of Rs. 10,000.00 to the family.  An amount of Rs. 2000.00 has also bee released under Harischandra Yojana.  The Family is in dire need of support for repayment of loan  and support for family.

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that  Baidhar  is  old man and almost reached at the age of death. But why he will commit suicide. Though old, he was basically managing the family and looking after the agricultural activity.  It seems he was laborious  and doing hard labour  to generate much income for the family  through agriculture., That’s  why he had invested     by  borrowing money from different sources  and investing it in agriculture. The crop failure  and subsequent pressure  for repayment of loan  might have  shocked him. To liberate himself from humiliation  by the unscrupulous  money lenders it reveals, he has committed suicide. 

  Members of Fact-finding Team

Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

Sudarshan Chhotaray, Journalist

Abdul Walli, Social Activist

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No. 5

Suicidal Death of Abhimanyu Baliarsingh, aged 50 belonging to General Caste  of Badapadar village  under Manibandh Gram Panchayat of Bolagada Block of Khurda district 

Date of Visit of  Fact-finding Team :            29.11.15

Despondent before the Team

1.      Prativa Baliarsingh, Wife of deceased

2.      Some villagers

Abhimanyu  Baliarsingh, aged 50  of Badapadar village of Bolagada block  committed suicide  by taking poison ( insecticide) in the agricultural field  on 10.10.15. He was having graduate qualification and surviving with his old father, wife and two son. His wife is Anganwadi worker and elder son is working in a company. Another son is four years old. .  As an educated farmer, he was cultivating his own 3.5 acres of land and share-cropped 2 acres of land of Temple land ( Kotha Sampati). As per norm of share-cropping,  one-third of the production will be shared to the owner of the land by the share-cropper. Though the land is rain-fed, he was getting good harvest every year ( 20 quintal of paddy per acre).  Being encouraged a lot due to good harvest, he had invested huge money by borrowing it from different private and Govt. sources. The Details of laon borrowed by him is as follows.

Sl.No	Name of the agency provided loan	Amount ( Rs.)	Remarks
1	Cooperative Society  loan pending	17,500.00
2	Odisha Gramya Bank, Dhalapadar	-----	Not known to his wife
3	State Bank of India, Ranpur	----	Do
4	L and T Finance Company	20,000.00	Monthly Schedule of Repayment
5	SKS Finance Company	10,000.00	Do
6	Women SHG	15,000.00
7	Hand loan from the people ( Rabi Behera, Nalu Barik of Banki Block )	20,000	This money was borrowed by his wife and given to deceased.

  

As shared by his wife,   he was seen terribly disturbed due to crop failure and his predicament to repay the loan in every month. He was found remaining in silence and mentally tense. As he had borrowed huge loan, he could not find any other avenue to repay it due to crop failure. Having been failed to withstand the situation, his hopeless and helplessness forced him to commit suicide. 

After media expose about the suicide, Police, Revenue Inspector, Tahasildar had visited and conducted the enquiry and assessed the crop loss. The Tahasildar had given Rs. 10,000.00 to his wife which was sanctioned from Red Cross fund and another Rs. 10,000.00 from other sources. Sri Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Editor Sambad who visited to the family to give consolation had give Rs. 5,000.00.

The media expose of series of suicide and public accusation of private money lenders responsible for farmers’ suicide, the State Govt. directed all the Collectors to take legal action against the Private money lenders.  Acting on Govt. direction, the District administration wanted to know from Prative Baliarsingh about the name of the people provided the  loan. After their name got exposed, the police immediately arrested   Rabi Behera and Nalu Bark of Rajiv gaon  of Baki Block  and forwarded them to court.  The family of arrested the people pressurised Prativa to take steps to release their husbands on bail, as her expose about the names  helped the police to nab them.  Despite Prativa being in distress condition, she was forced to give  Rs. 5,000  as advocate  fees for their bail.  On question about her expectation of Govt. support, Prativa Baliarsingh,  wife of deceased said that   waiver of loan and a Govt. service to her elder son  can be considered by Govt. as an assistance which will ameliorate her disastrous condition.

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that this is the fit case of farmers’ suicide. The crop failure  and huge  amount of loan borrowed by him  put him in distress  condition  leading to   suicidal death.

Members of fact-finding Team

1.      Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha 

2.      Sudhir Mohanty, Advocate, Odisha High Court

3.      Sudarshan Chhotaray, Freelance Journalist

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.6

Suicidal Death of Jugal Baghsingh, aged 62 belonging to General Caste ( Khandayat)   of Goda village of Deuli Gram Panhayat uder Begunia Block of  Khurda district  

Date of Visit of Fact-finding Team:  29.11.15

Respondents met by  the Team

1. Kagiji Patsingh, Elder Daughter of Deceased

2. Some Villagers

Jugal Baghsingh, aged 62 belonging to General Caste ( Khandayat)   of Goda village of Deuli Gram Panhayat under Begunia Block of  Khurda district  committed suicide on 10.11.15 by hanging himself in a tree, few away from his house. He was surviving by two married daughters and one unmarried daughter. Elder one Kagiji Patsingh is married and staying in her in-laws house. The second married one, deaf  is staying with Jugal along with her husband who is also physically handicapped. The last one is Nirupama Baghsingh staying with father. The family   is having thatched mud house.

Jugal had cultivated his own 3 acres of land along with other 5 acres of share-cropped land obtained from Raghab Ranabijuli, Hrudanand Paikaray and Nibas Baghsingh.   All the  land is rain-fed. He was producing only one crop in the land.  There is neither irrigation facility nor Lift-Irrigation point for agricultural land in the village.  He had borrowed Rs.80,000 as loan from some people including his son-in-law for investment in agriculture  at the rate of  48 percent of interest per Rs. 1000.00.  After crop loss, he got mentally disturbed and remained in tense for few days. Though enquired by the daughters about the reason of his mental distress, he told in thundering tone how to manage the family, as the total crop has been lost. On 10.11.15, he left the house in the night and hanged him in a tree which was identified on 11.11.15 at 12 o’clock after a thorough search. The family had no other source of income except cultivation.  He was the lone bread-earner of the family.  

After his death is reported in mass media, the Police had come and seized the dead body for post-mortem. A host of Govt. officials like   Tahasildar, Revenue Inspector had visited the house. Many of them have provided assistance keeping in view the distress condition of the family.  The details of assistance given by different people are as follows.

Sl.No	Name of the persons provided assistance	Amount	Remarks
1	Tahasildar	500.00	He had give personally
2	Tahasildar	10,000.00	Released  from Red Cross Fund
3	Sarapanch	2,000.00	Released  under harischandra Yojana
4	B.D.O	1,000.00	He had given personally
5	Prashant Jagdev, MLA	5,000.00	DO
6	BJP Leader	5,000.00	DO

On query about the support required from the family, they sought from Govt. assistance for repayment of loan and some amount for family. 

Observation of the Team

After interacting with the family and the villagers, the Team felt that Sri Jugal had committed suicide out of distress situation emerged due to crop loss and his hopelessness to face the situation. This family should be duly compensated, as the daughters and the Son-in-laws surviving are not capable much to earn for livelihood. 

Members of Fact-finding Team

1.      Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha 

2.      Sudhir Mohanty, Advocate, Odisha High Court

3.      Sudarshan Chhotaray, Freelance Journalist

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.7

Suicidal Death of Krutibas Gahir, aged 50 belonging to OBC Community of Ramod village under Tureikela Block of Bolangir district 

Date of Visit of Fact-finding Team:  30.11.15

Respondent met by the Team

1. Hukumraj Sahu, villager and well-wisher of the family

2. Ghasiram Gahir, son of deceased

3. Sukanti Gahir, wife of deceased

Krutibas Gahir, aged 50 of Ramod village under Tureikela Block of Bolangir district committed suicide by taking poison and later on admitted in Patnagarh Sub-divisional Hospital and died on 27.10.15.   He was surviving by his Mother, wife, three sons and three daughters.  The Family was getting 25 kg rice under APL (Above Poverty Line) category and is now covered under National Food Security Act.  Elder daughter have already got married.  At the time of his death, his 3 children were travelling to Maharastra as migrant labourer. After receiving death of father, they returned to home from Nagpur.

Krutibas was owner of 6.5 acres of land which are rain-fed. This year, he had cultivated paddy in 2.5 acres, cotton in 3 acres and others left fallow. He had   borrowed Rs. 50,000.00 from a labour contractor on the condition that his children will be sent as migrant labourer for six months. Besides that he had also brought loan from Cooperative Society. The loan pending against him is  Rs. 87,335.00.  The scanty and erratic rain fall led to crop failure in Bolangir. The family members said that they could not get even one quintal of paddy from one acre.  The cotton cultivation has been devastated.   The crop loss and subsequent drought situation and huge loan burden with  no income  for maintenance  of  family  left him hopelessness and distressed. He got mentally disturbed and remained idle, as reported by the family and the villagers during query of the Fact-finding Team. 

After  his death is reported in mass media,  a host of Govt. officials, political people  visited  to  his house  to  console the family  members.  They  also  provided  financial support  to the  family   which is as follows.

Sl.No	Name	Amount	Remarks
1	Laxman Meher, President, Bolangir District Central Cooperative Bank	5,000.00
2	Tahasildar, Tureikela	10,000.00	Sanctioned from Red Cross Bhawan
3	Sarapanch	2,000.00	Santioned  from Harischandra Yojana

After getting information about death of father, the children on migration returned back   and now staying in home.  As reported by Ghasiram Gahir, aged 20 who was migrating, he alleged that the labour contractor Halu Sardar   was forcing them to migrate to work place, as the rituals of father is over.  They are in dilemma what to do.  On question about their awareness about package declared by Chief Minister for drought-affected people, they expressed their ignorance about it. On query about any support required for family, they suggested waiver of loan and financial support   for survival from Govt.

After media expose about the poor farmers being exploited by unscrupulous private money lenders ( Sahukar )  who charge exorbitant interest against the loan amount given by them, the State Govt. has given direction to the Collectors to take action against  the Money lenders ad book then under Unlawful Money Laundering Act . Accordingly, the police has booked  a case against Golekh Nath Biswal, a small Grocery shop owner who uses to provide small support to the family in need in the village. The villagers have reacted strongly and opposed the police action against him, as he is not the exploiter rather benevolent of the poor. 

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that   not only Krutibas but all the villagers have suffered due to drought. Due to crop loss, many of the villagers have left the village and migrated to other state for livelihood.  Due to crop failure ad distress condition, Krutibas committed suicide after being failed to face the unexpected situation.

Members of Fact-Finding Team

1.      Pradip Pradhan

2.      Shankar Panigrahi, RTI Activist, Bolangir

3.      Satya Bancchor, Bolangir

4.      Jati Pradhan, Farmers’ leader

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No-8

Suicidal Death of Gurubaru Sahu, aged 35 belonging to OBC Community of Jamjori village in Ghagruli Gram Panchayat of Belapara Block under jurisdiction of Bolangir district 

Date of Visit of Fact-finding Team:  30.11.15

Respondent met by the Team

1.      Dambur Sahu, Father of deceased

2.      Nilambar Sahu, Villager and many others

Gurubaru Sahu, aged 35 of OBC Community of Jamjori village under Belapara block of Bolagir district committed suicide by consuming poison in cotton field on 7.11.15. He was survived by old father, mother, wife and two children reading in Primary School. His family is staying thatched Khapar house located middle of the village.  Gurubaru  was getting 25 kg rice under APL category  and now covered as beneficiary  under National Food Security Act. He and his family members used to migrate to other areas in pursuit of livelihood.

 He cultivated paddy and cotton in his own 4.5 acres of land and share-cropped 3 acres of land obtained from Puran Sahu. It is needless to mention here that as per norm of share-cropping, the share-cropper is required to make all investment for cultivation. The final produce will be divided into three out of which one share will be given to owner of land.  Gurubaru was emotionally engaged in cultivation because he was getting benefited due to good harvest in previous year. Though there is no irrigation facility, but Gurubaru harvests 8 quintal of paddy per acre. But this year looking for good harvest, He had invested huge money by borrowing from different Institutions for paddy, cotton and ground-nut cultivation. As narrated by the family members,  he had got loan amount of Rs. 35,000/-  from State Bank of India in name of his mother in July 2015, 25,000/- from Lanth Budha Woma SHG  which is to be repaid on 24% interest per year. Earlier in 2009, he had also got loan from SBI and its pending amount with interest is Rs. 1, 80,000/-.  Due to scanty rain fall, the paddy and cotton production got devastated. Having seen the damaged paddy and cotton crop, he was greatly shocked and remained disturbed mentally for few days. Then he took poison and died.  On query, it was found that though the family had Job Card, they had not worked under NREGS since last two years.

After media expose about his suicide, many officials like Tahasildar, R.I. and the political people had visited Gurubaru’s house to console the family. They have also provided some financial support to the family.  While the Tahasildar provided Rs. 10,000/- as assistance, Laxma Mehera, Congress supported Rs. 4,000/-. Sarapanch released Rs. 2,000/- under Harishandra Yojana.

On query about expectation of support from Govt., the family members could not specifically suggest anything but requested the team to suggest to Govt.  which they think good for the family.

Observation of the team

The Team observed that Crop loss and huge loan burden are the contributing factor for the suicidal death of Gurubaru Sahu.  The family has been left in hopeless world.  The old father is not capable to look after cultivation and the family. The family does not have any source of other income. Gurubaru was the only hope for them. With cultivation, he was also doing daily wage labourer, migrant worker and managing the family.  He had left two small children. Keeping it in view, the Team suggests that the Govt. should provide certain amount of financial support to the family along with waiver loan pending against him.

Members of the fact-finding Team

5.      Pradip Pradhan

6.      Shankar Panigrahi, RTI Activist, Bolangir

7.      Satya Bancchor, Bolangir

8.      Jati Pradhan, Farmers’ leader

Farmers’ Suicide-Case Study.9

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sri Bhakta Dharua, aged 60 belonging to ST Community Dandrabahal village under Ghucheipali Gram Panchayat in Patnagarh block of Bolangir district 

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       25.11.15

Respondents met by   the Team

4.          Dhansingh Dharua, elder son of the deceased

5.         Villagers and well-wishers of Bhakta Dharua

Sri Bhakta Dharua, aged 60 belonging to ST Community Dandrabahal village under Ghucheipali Gram Panchayat in Patnagarh block of Bolangir district committed suicide by hanging himself in a tree dated 8.10.15. He was survived by wife and four children who have already been separated from each other.  Bhakta Dharua was a BPL Card holder and also got new Ration Card under National Food Security Act. He was staying with elder son Dhansingh Dharua. The family was living in thatched Khapar house.

He was cultivating his own five acres of land which are  rainfed.  This year, he had cultivated paddy in 4 acres and cotton in one acre of land.  As responded by Dhansingh, they   got 8 to 10 acres of paddy per acre.  But this year, they would get hardly one quintal paddy from 4 acres. Bhakta Dharua  had  borrowed  Rs. 16,000  as hand loan  from  the  villagers  for investment  in  paddy  and cotton cultivation. He had also purchased a 3 HP Pump on loan. He had also not got any support in terms of fertiliser, pesticide and seed from agriculture dept. for production of paddy and cotton. The reason  of committing  suicide  by  his father, Dhansingh said that  His was mentally  disturbed  due to crop  failure and loan burden. During that State Bank of India, Patnagarh Branch issued notice to his father to repay the loan with interest around Rs. 33,000.00 which is pending since 15 years.  His father got more disturbed having received this notice.  He had also personally shared with his son about the loan to be repaid to the villagers and the shop who had   given pump. He also avoided to visit the agriculture field and left the house in night and committed suicide.  The police seized the dead body at 12 o’clock and sent for post-mortem. 

After mass media exposed the news about suicide, a host of officials and Politicians like Narasingha Mishra, MLA, Sri K.V.Sighdeo, MLA, Patnagarh visited his house and provided financial support out of compassion.  The details of supported provided by them is as follows.

Name	Amount provided	Remarks
Sub-Collector	20,000.00	Released from Red Cross Fund  by the Collector
Narasingh Mishra, Leader of Opposition in Odisha Legislative Assembly	5,000.00
sarapanch	2,000.00	Released  under Harischandra Yojana

Presently, BDO, Patnagarh had sanctioned a house under IAY scheme. On query about   NREGS work,   Dhansingh said that they had not worked under NREGA this year.  Presently, he is doing daily wage labourer for survival. On query about any support required from Govt., he sought financial support for waiver of loan and support for ensuring irrigation facility for agricultural land.

Observation of the Team

After analysing various aspects  of the  problem of the families, the Team  is of the view that  the  crop failure  and loan burden  are most important reasons  behind  suicidal death of a poor innocent  tribal farmer. His self-esteem is so high that he   decided to commit suicide  in night without disturbing anybody.  The Team recommends   for  substantial amount of  compensation to the family  along with  support for  repayment of loan.

Members of Fact-finding Team

9.      Pradip Pradhan

10.  Shankar Panigrahi, RTI Activist, Bolangir

11.  Satya Bancchor, Bolangir

12.  Jati Pradhan, Farmers’ leader

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.10

Suicidal Death of Magasira Majhi, aged 55 belonging to ST community of Tukula village in Chadheigaon Gram Panchayat  of Bhatli Block of Baragarh district.  

Date of Visit of Fact-finding Team:  1.12.15

Respondents  met by the Team

1.      Sudhansu Meher,        Village leader

2.      Bhisma Majhi, Elder son of the deceased ( M-9938590603)

Magasira Majhi, aged 55 of Tukula village under Bhatli Block of Baragarh district committed suicide by taking poison ( pesticide)  on 13.10.15. He was survived by his wife, 5 sons and one daughter. His three sons work as daily wage labourer and get  Rs. 180.00  per month which supplements the income of the family. During  discussion, they said that In an average, they get work for around 15 days in a month. His lone daughter is reading in +3 Arts. The family   has thatched khapara house.  The Family was  having BPL card  and now received new Ration Card under National Food Security Act. 

Magasira cultivated his own 6 acres of land and 2 acres of share-cropping land since two years.   All the land are rain-fed. There is no irrigation facility in the village.  As reported by the villagers, paddy production requires huge investment of around minimum Rs.15,000.00 per acre in this area.  Responding the query  about  details of  investment made by his father  for cultivation, Bhisma, elder son of Magasira Majhi   narrated  about loan  made by his father  in this year  which is as  follows.

Name of  person/ Institution	Amount	Remarks
State Bank of India	54,000.00
Local shop	18,000.00	Purchasing  pesticide
Chadheigaon Cooperative Society	25,000.00	For agriculture
Mortgaging Gold	15,000.00

On  query  about  norm fixed  for share  cropping,  Sudhansu Meher, Village  leader   said that  the  share-cropper  is required to make all the investment for  cultivation  and the final produce will be  divided  into 3 of which  one share  will be  given to  owner  of the land. Generally, the farmers produce 18 quintal of paddy per acre  in normal period.  But this year due to drought situation and crop loss, the final yield will be less than 6 quintal per acre.  This year, due to scanty and erratic rainfall, the paddy production suffered  a lot. Magasira had expected good harvest, as he had invested huge money for it.  Due to  crop  failure, his hope  dashed out .  He     got mentally disturbed   and hopeless.  Though the children asked him having seen his disturbing mind, he always remained silence.   Remaining mentally imbalance for quite few days, he committed suicide at last. The police seized the dead body and  sent it  for post-mortem.

After news being highlighted in mass media, a number of officials and the political people   visited his house and provided financial assistance. Tahasildar and Revenue inspector visited his land and assessed the crop loss.  The details of financial assistance provided to his family is as follows.

Name	Amount	Remarks
Tahasildar	10,000.00	Sanctioned from Red Cross Fund
Naba Nirman Krushak sangh	20,000.00
Subraj Singh, BJD	5,000.00
Krushak Bikash Manch	1,000.00

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that the huge loan burden is one of the factors for suicidal death of Magasira Majhi.  His expectation of huge benefit from paddy cultivation got  disturbed due to low rain fall and subsequent  crop loss. To repay the loan became subject matter of concern for him.  Having been mentally disturbed and hopelessness, he committed suicide at last.  Due compensation is required for the family including support for waiver of loan. 

Name of Members of Fact-finding Team

1.      Pradip Pradhan, RTI Activist

2.      Shankar Panigrahi, RTI Activist

3.      Ramesh Mohapatra,   Social Activist, Baragarh

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.11

Suicidal death of Pabitra Bariha, aged 19 of ST Community belonging to Sirabahal village under Kelendapali Gram Panchayat of Bhatli block of Baragarh district

Date of Visit of Fact-finding Team:  1.12.15

Respondents met by the Team

3.      Madhab Bariha, father of the deceased, M- 9556112092

4.      Villagers of the village

Pabitra Bariha, aged 19 of ST Community belonging to Sirabahal village under Kelendapali Gram Panchayat of Bhatli block of Baragarh district committed suicide on 26.10.15 by consuming poison. He was managing the family   by looking after agriculture through investment of money which he was earning working   as migrant labourer in Tamil Nadu. Due to poor economic condition of the family, he used to migrate outside state in pursuit of livelihood. He was survived by his grandfather, father and two brothers. His elder brother is handicapped.  Father is incapable to do anything.  His 3^rd brother is reading in Class-X.  Though the family had 12 acres of land, his father  had mortgaged  4 acres of land   against Rs.1,60,000 borrowed  for  marriage of his sister five years back. He could not return it back owing to their failure of repay the said amount. Secondly, his father had also borrowed Rs.60,000.00  from SBI and Rs. 75,000.00 from Uco Bank  for  need of the  family and agriculture.  Pabitra  had invested for cultivation in 6 acres of land in this year. He had  not received any support like seed, fertiliser  etc.   from Govt.    As reported by the villagers, he was very sober, gentle and hard-working.

From the narration of the reason of suicide of his son, Madhab Bariha said that In view of  deplorable  financial situation,  he  had taken  all the burdens of the family  and trying  hard to  recover  from financial crisis  through cultivation.  Though the land is rain-fed, he had invested huge money in agriculture with hope to get good harvest which will help him to repay the loan and get the land returned back.  But his hope got lost, when he saw the damaged crop in the field due to drought. As per rough calculation made on the spot,  paddy yield   will be  1.5 quintal  against 20 quintal  harvested per acre during normal period.  He lost all hope to revive the financial condition of the family. Being hopeless, he committed suicide at last.

After mass media carried his suicidal death, a number of officers and politicians visited his house to console the family and provided financial support out of compassion.  Block Development officer gave Rs. 10,000 sanctioned under District Red Cross Fund.  Sarapanch sanctioned Rs. 2,000.00 under Harischandra Yojana.

On question about their expectation from the Govt. , the family suggested for waiver of loan pending against them.

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that this is a case of plight of a farmer who could not manage the family despite having 12 acres of cultivable land. As the farmers always live in financial crisis, a little bit disturbances in cultivation or crop failure jeopardised their life and livelihood. It destroyed their economic backbone what happened in case of Pabitra Bariha. Failure of the Govt.  to ensure timely support to the farmers  in terms of supply of agricultural inputs  and financials support in case of failure of crop  has left the debt-ridden farmers in hopeless future.

Members of Fact-Finding Team   

4.      Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

5.      Shankar Panigrahi, RTI Activist

6.      Ramesh  Mohapatra,   Social Activist, Baragarh

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.12

Suicidal death of Harihar Budhia, aged 45 belonging to OBC of Kadalipali village in Lehenda Gram Panchayat of Barapalli block of  Baragarh district

Date of Visit of Fact-finding Team:  1.12.15

Respondents met by the Team

1.      Premabati Budhia, wife of deceased

2.      Villagers present during interaction with the family

Harihar Budhia, aged 45 belonging to OBC of Kadalipali village in Lehenda Gram Panchayat of Barapalli block of Baragarh district committed suicide by consuming poison on 19.7.15.  He was survived by wife and three daughters. Elder daughter had got married two years back. Second one Sasmita Budhia has completed +3 Arts and third one Rina Budhia is +3 ( 1^st year) student in Barapalli College. The family is having thatched khapar house coming under BPL category. They have received new Ration Card under National Food Security Act.

Harihar  had cultivated  paddy  in his  total  3 acres irrigated land in this year.  During interaction, his wife Premabati Budhia   appraised the team about huge loan made by her husband from different sources. These are as follows.

Name of the Institution	Amount	Remarks
State Bank of India, Barapali Branch	50,000.00
Cooperative Society	50,000.00
Anchalik Gramya Bank	1,50,000.00	Mortgaging the land
Punjab National Bank		He wide could not tell the exact amount

On query whether  her husband had obtained loan  for only agriculture, Premabati replied that the loan amount has been used for different purpose including agriculture.  But his husband had a big hope to get good harvest from   paddy cultivation. With it, he had thought of repaying the loan ad free from debt burden to some extent. As their land is irrigated, they use to get around 30 quintal of paddy per acre. But the crop failure and subsequent drought situation devastated his hope. He was mentally disturbed for quite some days and   was in thoughtful how to repay the loan.  At last he committed suicide.

After his death, many officials and politicians had visited his house and wanted to know the reason of his suicide.    BDO has sanctioned a house under Indira Awas Yojana. Tahasildar had given Rs.10,000.00 sanctioned from Red Cross Fund. Sri Subal Sahu, MLA , Bijepur constituency had  given money for  admission of his daughter in the college.

On question about whether she is aware the package declared by Chief Minister, Odisha, Premabati, wife of deceased emphatically said NO.  On query about their expectation from Govt. , she  sought support for waiver of loan and Govt. service for her daughter

Observation of the Team

The Team observed  that loan burden and crop failure are the most important factor  for suicidal death of Harihar Budhia. His family should be provided support, as she had only two daughters. Nobody is  in his family to look after the agriculture.

Members of Fact-Finding Team   

7.      Pradip Pradhan, RTI Activist

8.      Shankar Panigrahi, RTI Activist

9.      Ramesh Mohapatra,   Social Activist, Baragarh

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.13

Suicidal Death of a woman Farmer Srimati Asarpi Pradhan, aged 40 belonging to Other Backward Caste of Sahajbahal village  under Gaisilet Block of Padampur Sub-division of Baragarh district

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       7.12.15

Respondents met by   the Team

1.      Gandaram Pradhan, Husband of deceased

2.       Villagers

 Srimati Asarpi Pradhan, Woman farmer aged 40 belonging to Other Backward Caste of Sahajbahal village under Gaisilet Block of Padampur Sub-division of Baragarh district committed suicide taking poison on dated 24.10.15.  He was survived by husband and one daughter. Her elder daughter had got married last year. Her socio-economic profile says that she was poor and coming under BPL category.  The family has thatched Khapar house. She was in fact  managing family.

She had 4 acres cultivable land which is rain-fed.  There is no irrigation facility to this village.  The villagers generally depend on rainfall for cultivation.  Whenever there is good rainfall, there is good harvest. This year, she had cultivated paddy in 3 acres of land, pulses in one acre of land.  Due to drought, the entire crop got lost. He had invested Rs. 40,000.00 in cultivation by borrowing loan from different sources. As reported by the family members, the total loan burden against the family is Rs. 99,000.00. She had also borrowed 30,000.00 from money lenders at the rate of 10% per month for family and Rs. 60,000.00 from Cooperative Society at the rate of 7% per year.  She had borrowed loan for investment in agriculture and family. She had also purchased a pump on agriculture loan. Due to crop failure, she got mentally depressed and hopeless. The loan burden was so huge that she   could not find any ways to solve it. Being disturbed a lot, she   decided to end her life.

After news about her suicidal death was highlighted in Media, many people, Govt. officials like Tahasildar, R.i., Police and local MLA visited her home and enquired to know the reason of her death. The Agricultural officials assessed her crop loss by visiting the field. Sri  Subal Sahu, local MLA  had given Rs. 5,000.00  and Sarapanach had released Rs. 2,000.00 to the family  under Harischandra Yojana.  On query  about Chief Minister’s declaration about package for drought-affected people, the family members  expressed their ignorance about it. Rather  they requested the team to approach Govt. to provide financial support to recover from loan burden.

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that being frustrated and hopeless, she decided to face the  crisis and ended the life. The family needs financial support to get rid of financial crisis. Stringent Action should be taken against the Money Lenders  who are charging  exorbitant interest of  10% per month. The Govt. should check  and monitor private money lending system in the state.

Members of Fact-finding Team

1.      Umakant Sahu, Social Activist, Samuhik Marudi Pratikar Udyam ( SMPU), Paikamal

2.      Jogendra Sahu, Social Activist, Samuhik Marudi Pratikar Udyam ( SMPU), Paikamal

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.14

Suicidal Death of  Makhan Sa, aged 53  belonging to  OBC  of Mundapalli village in  Talapali Gram Panchayat  under Gaisilet Block of  Baragarh district.

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       7.12.15

Respondents met by   the Team

3.       Umakant Sahu, Social Activist

4.      Fakir Ch. Sahu, Social Activist

Sri Makhan Sa, aged 53  belonging to  OBC  of Mundapalli village in  Talapali Gram Panchayat  under Paikamal  Block of  Baragarh district committed  suicide  by consuming poison  on dated 26.11.15. He was survived by his wife  and two daughters. The Family is very poor and coming under BPL category. The family has thatched Khapar house.

Makhunu had 4 acres of cultivable land which are rain-fed.  This year, he had cultivated paddy in all 4 acres of land with investment of Rs. 34,200.00  for purchasing seed ( Rs.2200.00 ), Fertilizer ( 15,000.00 ) , Pesticide ( Rs.5,000.00 ) , transplantation and other expenses ( Rs.12,000.00).  He had expected  a lot from agriculture. But his hope got  lost, when he found that 90% of the  paddy crop has been damaged due to  crop loss and drought situation. He  has received loan amount of Rs.10,000.00 from State Bank of India, Talapali Branch and Rs.30,000.00 loan from Money lender at the rate of 10% interest per month.  He had also spent Rs. 15,000.00 for his treatment in  private  Nursingh Home  He got frustrated   and hopeless and remained in tense how to repay the loan. At last he committed suicide.  

After his suicidal death is reported, BDO, Police, Tahasildar, Agricultural overseer had visited his house   to console the family and the reason behind the death.  Sarapanch had released Rs. 2000.00 from Harischandra Yojana. On query about Chief Minister’s declaration of package for drought-affected people, they expressed their ignorance about it. On question about any support required for the family, they could not say anything except expressing their helplessness.

Observation of the Team   

After hearing from the family, the team is convinced that this is a sure case of suicide. Due to loan burden  and crop damage, he  ended his life  finding no solution to his crisis. The family requires substantial financial support  to recover from the loan burden. Stringent Action should be taken against the Money Lenders  who are charging  exorbitant interest of  10% per month. The Govt. should check  and monitor private money lending system in the state.

Members of the Fact-finding Team

3.      Umakant Sahu, Social Activist, Samuhik Marudi Pratikar Udyam ( SMPU), Paikamal

4.      Jogendra Sahu, Social Activist, Samuhik Marudi Pratikar Udyam ( SMPU), Paikamal

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.15

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sri Daharmu Ada,  graduate aged 35 belonging to ST Community of Khirmal village in Rokal Panchayat under Boden Block of Nuapara district. 

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       29.11.15

Respondents met by   the Team

6.        Khira Ada, Father  of the deceased

7.        Kousalya Ada, Wife of the deceased

8.        Debasan Sabar, Villager ( M-9178186651)

Daharmu Ada, graduate  aged 35 belonging to ST Community of Khirmal village in Rokal Panchayat under Boden Block of Nuapara district committed suicide by taking poison on 12.10.15 at 11 PM. He was taken to Mission Hospital, Khariara ad died there.  He was survided  by old his father Khir Ada aged 65, wife  and two sons reading in the school. The family comes under BPL category. Daharmu was hard working and laborious. He  was not beneficiary of any scheme. He had not received any support from Government for  cultivation.

He had only 0.5 acre of own land with 9 acres of share-cropped land. He had cultivated paddy in 5 acres of land and cotton in 4 acres of land. He   had taken a lot of risk to do both paddy and cotton cultivation by investing more than Rs.90, 000.00. The details of loan borrowed from different sources are as follows.

Name of person	Amount borrowed	Remarks
Money lender and Woman SHG	40,000.00
Padman Bagh, Cloth Store Owner	10,000.00
Mortgaging Gold of wife	15,000.00
Total	65,000.00

  

As the cotton crop requires huge investment for purchasing pesticide and insecticide, he had invested accordingly to get good profit. But  His hope to get good harvest got vanished in wilderness when he found  both paddy and cotton lost due to drought. He lost all hopes to survive. As an educated boy, he was quite sensitive and sensible  and felt humiliated when the women SHGs and Money lenders rallied before his house and  asked for repayment. Facing very unusual situation and finding no way to  repay the same, he decided to end his life.

As his suicide spreads like wild fire, a host of officials and political people like MLA  rushed to his home  to know the reason of his death. The leaders of BJP and Congress had condoled the family. The Tahasildar   had given Rs. 10,000.00 released from Red Cross Fund.

On query  about any support required , his wife  sought the waiver of loan and financial support for education of her  children. 

Observation of the Team

This is a case of suicide of an educated young farmer who could not withstand the situation and killed himself.  Huge loan pressure borrowed for investment in cotton crop prompted him to commit suicide. His death is a big loss to the family as well as society. Timely financial or moral support might have saved the precious life which he did not get it from anybody. Rather the vested and unscrupulous group put pressure on him  for  repayment of loan which was unbearable for him.

Members of Fact-finding Team

1.      Dibakar Nayak, Member, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

2.      Khirod Routray, Member,  Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

3.      Bhojaraj Behera, Social Activist, Khariar, Nuapara

4.      Debasana Behera, Social Activist, Khariar, Nuapara

 Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.16

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sri Bhubaneswar Behera , aged 65 belonging to ST Community  of Barapadara in Bhojpur Gram Panchayat  of Khariar Blok of  Nuapada district.

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       29.11.15

Respondents met by   the Team

9.        Nirupama Behera, Wife  of the deceased

10.    Laxman Behera,  Elder Son  of the deceased

11.    Debasan Sabar, Villager and Local volunteer  ( M-9178186651)

Sri Bhubaneswar Behera , aged 65 belonging to ST Community  of Barapadara in Bhojpur Gram Panchayat  of Khariar Blok of  Nuapada district committed suicide by hanging in his own house on 22.10.2015 at 9.30 AM. He was survived by his wife, 3 sons and 3 daughter-in-laws with 10 grand sons and daughters. The socio-economic profile of the family is very disastrous. His wife is blind and elder son is half-mad.  He was shouldering the burden of the family and managing them with much difficulty and financial crisis. He was getting Rs. 300/- as pension under Old Age Pension Scheme. The family is also BPL Card holder. He and his family members work as daily wage labourer and migrate outside state to eke out their livelihood.   

Bhubaneswar had only 5 acres of cultivable non-irrigated land with no share-cropping land.  As per the rough estimate, he used to get Rs. 25,000.00 from cultivation and Rs. 20,000 from wage labour per year. As reported by the family, it was very difficult to survive for 17 family members with such a low income. They live in abject poverty. The family members use to migrate other areas in pursuit of livelihood.

Over the years, he had borrowed huge loan around Rs. 1, 00,000.00 from money lenders and women SHGs and some known people for investment in agriculture, cotton production, construction of house and to meet the need of the family. The loan amount becomes high due to interest charge ranging from 3 to 5% per month.  Due to severe financial crisis, he was not able to repay it.  As the information obtained from the narration of the family members, it was found that Bhubaneswar had invested around 20,000.00 in cotton cultivation. He had not received any support from Govt.  It was found that though his one acre of land was acquired by the Irrigation Department for Tikhali Irrigation Project, he had not received  compensation amount of Rs. 1,88,000.00  till yet. The money lenders also repeatedly asked him for repayment of loan.  The crop loss due to drought caused mental tension which aggravated his financial crisis further. To get rid of loan crisis was very difficult task for him. He remained in tense and ended his life without finding any solution to his terrible financial crisis.

After his death, Sri Prasad Harichandan, President, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, Local MLA had visited his house. The Tahasildar had given Rs. 10,000.00 released from Red Cross Fund by the Collector, Nuapara. MLA had assured to sanction a house under Biju Pucca  Gruha Yojana

  Observation of the Team

The Team observed that Bhubaneswar Behera could not withstand against the odds imposed on him from the family members and money lenders. He had expected compensation amount from the Govt against the land acquired by the Govt. He ended his life out of frustration and helplessness. 

 Members of Fact-finding Team

5.      Dibakar Nayak, Member, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

6.      Khirod Routray, Member,  Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

7.      Bhojaraj Behera, Social Activist, Khariar, Nuapara

8.      Debasana Behera, Social Activist, Khariar, Nuapara

 Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.17

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sri Paramashwar Nayak , aged 28  belonging to ST  and  BPL category  of Haladia village under Sukruli Block of Mayurbhanj  district.

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       2.12.15

Respondents met by   the Team

1.      Sukeshi Nayak, Wife of deceased

2.      Dronacharya Nayak, Relative of the family and the villagers

 Sri  Paramashwar Nayak , aged 28  belonging to ST  and  BPL category  of Haladia village under Sukruli Block of Mayurbhanj  district committed suicide  by taking poison  on dated  13.11.15  he was survived  by his wife  and one child. His family is the BPL Card holder. His source of income is only agriculture.

He was having 6 acres of cultivable land which are rain-fed.  This year, he had cultivated paddy in 5 acres and pulses in one acre. He had invested   Rs. 32, 000.00 in cultivation. The said amount was borrowed from Bank of India (Rs. 20,000.00 at the rate of 7 % interest) and Women SHG (Rs.12, 000.00).   Due to drought situation, the entire crop got damaged. He had also spent Rs. 9,000.00 for treatment of family members in this year. As reported by his wife and the villagers, he was mentally disturbed due to crop loss and debt burden. Women SHG were disturbing him asking for money. Finding to solution to this crisis, he committed suicide at last.

After his suicidal death is reported in media, many Govt. officials and political people like BDO, ABDO, Panchayat Executive Officer and Revenue Inspector had visited his home to console the bereaved family.  BDO offered a cheque of Rs. 10,000.00 released from Red Cross Fund. Sarapanch released Rs. 2,000.00 under Harischandra Yojana. MLA, Jashipur had also given Rs. 1,000.00 to the family. On query about any support from Govt. required for family, they said some amount of financial support  for  education of the children and repayment of the loan.

Observation of the Team

While observing the whole gamut of the issue, the team observed that Parameshwar committed suicide due to crop loss and  his failure to resist the  financial crisis. He tried   to find out other ways  to repay the loan, but failed miserably.

Members of fact-finding Team

1.      Laxmikant Mohanta, Social Activist, CREFTDA, Jashipur, Mayurbhanj

2.      Gayatri Mohanta, Social Activist, CREFTDA, Jashipur, Mayurbhanj

Farmers’ Suicide- Case No.18

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sadhu Laguri, aged 56 belonging to ST Community of Garamian village under Sukinda Block of Jajpur district

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       9.12.15

Respondents met by   the Team

5.      Dula Laguri, Elder son of the deceased

6.      Ghasia Laguri, Son of the deceased

Sadhu Laguri, aged 56 belonging to ST Community of Garamian village under Sukinda Block of Jajpur district committed suicide by hanging himself  in his home  on 31.10.2015. He was landless having no cultivable land. He had only 24 dcml.  Of homestead land. He was cultivating share-cropped land of 2 acres obtained from Madhab Pradhan. This family is BPL Card holder. All the family members work as wage labourer and earn around Rs. 4,000.00 to Rs.5, 000.00 per month and manage the family.

This year, Sadhu Laguri had cultivated his two acres of share-cropped land He uses to get around 16 quintal of paddy from share-cropped land every year. Due to drought, the entire paddy got lost. Finding no support for agriculture, he had borrowed Rs. 40,000.00 for cultivation and livelihood of the family. The details of hand loan received from the people is as follows.

Sl.No	Name	Amount
1	Bhaskar Gagarai	10,000.00
2	Dhania Ragarai	5,000,00
3	Pitai Duduwil	20,0000
4	Krustan Du	5,000.00

Due to crop loss, and huge financial crisis, he ended his life. On query about  whether they are aware  about package declared  by Chief Minister for drought-affected  people, they said NO. On query  about any support required for family, they  could not reply  anything. 

After the news  about his suicidal death broke out,  BDO, Tahasildar, Revenue Inspector and local MLA had visited  his home to console  the family. Tahasildar had given Rs. 8,000.00 released from Red Cross Fund. Sarapanch had released Rs. 2000.00 under Harischandra Yojana.

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that  he had committed  suicide  due to severe financial crisis. The family  should be financially supported.

Members of Fact-finding Team

1.      Tapan Rout, Social Activist, Anchalika Bikash Manch, Sukinda

2.      Dola Gobinda Mohanta,

3.       Indrajit Mohanta

                                                        Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.19

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sri Baladev Majhi, aged about 62 years belonging to ST Community of Bramhariguda village under Koksara Block of Kalahandi district.

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       28.11.15

Respondents met by   the Team

12.    Koya  Majhi, wife  of the deceased

13.    Haladhar Majhi, son  of the deceased

Baladev Majhi, aged about 62 years belonging to ST Community of Bramhariguda village under Koksara Block of Kalahandi district committed suicide by taking poison on 29.10.15 at 11 PM. He was taken to Bhawanipatna district Hospital where he died. He was survived by his wife, one son and one daughter. While his son Haldhar Majhi is reading in Class-X, his daughter is reading in Class-5^th. Baladev was APL card holder getting 25 kg rice under PDS. The family is having thatched Khapar house. His wife   is the pension holder under National Old Age Pension Scheme. Being Job Card Holder of MGNREGA, he had received just 46 mandays from 2009-10 to 2014-15. His wife and son work as daily wage and also migrate to other areas in search of livelihood as they could not get substantial income from the paddy and cotton production throughout the year.

Baladev was cultivating his 12 acres of land out of which 7 acres of land is share-cropped. All the land are rain-fed. As per the norm of share-cropping, he used to give 50% of the agriculture produce to the owner of the land.  While narrating their socio-economic condition, the family members said that  they  got  80 quintal of paddy  from the land  in normal period    which has been  reduced to just  5 quintal  in this year  due to erratic rainfall and draught. Baladev could not cultivate 50 % of land in this year and paddy sapling dried up.   He had not got any support in terms of seed, fertilizer and pesticide from Govt. for cultivation. Baladev had received  loan  Rs.33,000.00 from private money lender at the rate of 3 to 5 % per month.

According to the family members, the crop loss, loan burden and sharing of crop to the owner of the land as per share-cropping arrangement are some of the factors for his suicidal death. He had remained in tense for few days and searching way out of the crisis.

After his death, Tahasildar, Block Development Officer, MLA, Sarapanch had visited the family to console them but not given any assurance for their livelihood. While the Collector had released Rs. 10, 000.00 from Red Cross Fund, Sri Bhakta Charan Das provided Rs.2, 000.00 and MLA   gave them Rs. 10,000.00 On a query about any further assistance required for family from the Govt., the family members could not specifically  suggest anything except their helplessness.   On question about their awareness  of package declared by Chief Minister for drought-affected people, they expressed their ignorance about it.

Observation of the Team

The Team observed that the poor and precarious condition of the family has aggravated after failure of the crop in this year. Being head of the family, Baladev was under pressure to manage the family. The debt burden and crop loss has caused his death. The family has become hopelss, as they do not have any avenues to survive except migrating to other areas. Unless financial support is provided,  his two children  can not pursue their education. Waiver of loan and certain amount of financial support is required for his family at least to survive. This family should be provided new ration card under National Food Security Act.

Members of Fact-finding Team

9.      Dibakar Nayak, Member, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

10.  Khirod Routray, Member,  Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

11.  Sanjib Kumar  Padhi, Social Activist, Kalahandi

12.  Kumunda Ranjan Nayak, Local Journalist, Kalahandi

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.20

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sri Bira Majhi, aged 60 of ST Community of Dhanarpur village under Dharamgarh block of Kalahandi district

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       28.11.15

Respondents met by   the Team

14.    Libanya Majhi, wife  of the deceased

15.    Hari  Majhi, son  of the deceased

Bira Majhi, aged 60 belonging to ST community of ST Community of Dhanarpur village under Dharamgarh Block of Kalahandi district committed suicide by hanging in a tree on 11.11.15. He was survived by his wife and two sons. Though poor, the family is not covered under PDS. They have not received any work under NREGA in this year. His wife   is getting Rs. 300.00 as pension under National Old Age Pension Scheme.  The family has thatched Khapar house. Due to poor economic condition, his elder son could not pursue higher study. 

Bira Majhi used to cultivate 2 acres of its own agricultural and another 3 acres of share-cropped land. The land is un-irrigated. The total yield of paddy production is around 35 quintal paddy (Monetary value is Rs. 35,000.00).  This income is very minimal for Bira to manage the family. Keeping it in view, the family members use to migrate to other areas.  But this year, he had cultivated land by investing huge money. While visiting the damaged crop in the field, he lost the hope of repaying the loan.  Giving percentage of share-cropped to the owner of the land was also another burden for him.  As reported by the family, the amount of loan pending against him was around Rs.70, 000.00 which was borrowed for agriculture and daughter’s marriage from Money lenders and Woman SHGs at the rate of 3 to 5% interest. They were demanding repeatedly for repayment which was another area of tension for him. Having been failed to face the unbelievable situation, he ended his life. 

After media coverage of his suicidal death, many Govt. officials and political people visited his home to console the family.  The Tahasildar gave his family Rs. 10,000.00 released from Red Cross Fund by the Collector, Kalahandi. Sarapanch released Rs.2, 000.00 under Harischandra Yojana and the Local MLA offered Rs.20, 000.00.

On query about any support required from Govt., the family requested the Team to help   repay the loan and financial support for living. The Family also said that they were not aware about any package declared by Chief Minister for drought-affected areas.

Observation of the Team

After discussion with the family about their problem, the Team felt that the family is in distress condition and will aggravate if any support is not provided. Loa burden and repeated demand of Sahukars and Women SHGs has forced him to commit suicide. 

Members of Fact-finding Team

13.  Dibakar Nayak, Member, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

14.   Khirod Routray, Member,  Right to Food Campaign, Odisha

15.  Sanjeeb Kumar Padhi, Social Activist, Kalahandi

16.  Kumunda Ranjan Nayak, Social Activist, Kalahandi

 Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.-21

Suicidal Death of a farmer Sahadev Dehury, aged 65 belonging to OBC of the village Koitha Saahi  in Chhendipada Block of Angul district

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:       30.11.15

Respondents met by   the Team

7.       Kalia Dehury, elder son of the deceased

8.      Kishor Dehury, villager

Sahadeb Dehury, a 65 year old farmer died at 6 am in the morning on 30^th October 2015 in his village. Sahadev is survived by his only son, daughter-in-law and two grand children. Just in the previous day Sahadev along with his son Kalia (31) was busy carrying crop to the yard. After stock he found he is not going to get the expected yield from his 3 acres of non-irrigated agriculture and this year. Having been shocked as all of his hope shattered Sahadev had taken the extreme step and committed suicide by consuming excessive malaria tablets. 

According to his son Kalia (31), though my father was disturbed with loan burden and crop loss but had never let’s know that he will going to end his life. “I am shocked to know that my father took this extreme step and left me alone”, said Kalia.  He further added we have only 2 acres of land and had borrowed another one acre of land from a relative for share-cropping but got only 3 kgs of Rice during the last agriculture session. Coupled with the drought and crop loss this year we had lost all hope.

The family was slightly tense following the increasing interest burden on their loan of Rs 60,000. The family had taken loan from the Chhendipada Primary Co-operative Society (Rs 15,000 has now became Rs 19,000) and village fund, besides hand loan of Rs 40,000 from the moneylenders.  The situation further worsened when both father and son felt that they will be unable to pay back loan not even the interest.

Though the family is listed in BPL and MGNREGS Job Card, it was not sufficient to run the family of 5 depending on NREGS wages or BPL Rice. The house they are living is half constructed not even pucca roof. It has been done with the help of Kalia’s father- in- law. They have not got Indira Awas  Yojana house.

Both father and Son were daily wage earners and were largely depending on agriculture as the main source of living to meet the household needs, education of Children, health expenses and other family requirements. Their neighbourers said, they had spent the entire loan amount for agricultural operation that’s the reason the family was disturbed. Village Sarapanch also echoed the similar sentiment.

Kishore Dehury, a resident of the village said, this is not only the case of Sahadev , because of frequent drought and crop loss we have been facing the extreme situation. When the news of Sahadev’s death came in newspapers, the local politicians and Govt officials rushed to the village and had visited the family members. Some people promptly tried to denounce the farmer suicide angel but in vain.

The family have been provided with Rs 20,000, from CM’s Relief Fun d, Rs, 5,000 from Red Cross Fund, Rs 2,000 from Harish Chandra Yojana, Rs 1,000 from BJP, 2 Pockets of Rice and 10 kgs of Dal from Congress Party etc. Besides the visit of Revenue, Govt Officials Sambalpur MP Nagendra Pradhan of BJD and former MP Amar Pradhan, INC had also paid visit to the family.

Observation of the Team

Though in the first impression this case was not seemingly a farmer suicide case but circumstances and socio-economic condition of the family, agriculture dependence, loan and opinion of family members, villagers and financial assistance from Govt, attributed towards the death might be due to crop loss.

Members of Fact finding Team

1.      Mrs Sanjukta Panigrahy, Woman Activist, Bhubaneswar

2.      Manoj Mahapatra, Social Activist, Angul

3.       Sudarshan Chhotoray, Journalist and Activist

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.22

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Sri Chandra Kaudia, aged 48 belonging to ST community of   Ektaguda village in Dangarpaunsi Gram Panchayat under Kundra Block of Koraput district 

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:                   6.12.15

Despondent met by   the Team

16.     Asmita Kaudia, Wife of deceased

17.     Chanchala Kaudia,  Elder Daughter of Deceased

18.    Villagers

Sri Chandra Kaudia, aged 48 belonging to ST community of   Ektaguda village in Dangarpaunsi Gram Panchayat under Kundra Block of Koraput district   committed suicide by consuming poison on dated    5.11.15. He was survived by his wife and four daughters and one son.  Two daughters have got married. The family is having tiled house. His younger daughter is reading in Primary School. Besides working in agriculture field, he was working as daily wage labourer. The family is enlisted as BPL Card holder and Kishan Card holder.  He was not wage labourer under NREGA. Agriculture is the only source of income.  

He was having 2 acres of land and borrowed 0.5 acre of land for share-cropping. His one acre land is irrigated by Lift Irrigation Project and Canal.  He was getting around 30 quintal of paddy every year.  The family members said that this year he had borrowed loan from some people which is not known to them and invested same in cultivation.  He had not received any assistance in terms of seed, fertiliser and pesticide from Govt.  Due to scanty rain fall, when the crop damaged, he was   mentally shocked and remained disturbed for quite some days.  He had also shared with his wife   about loan burden and thinking how to repay it.  Finding no solution to the problem, he ended his life by consuming poison.

After his suicidal death is reported in mass media, the Govt. officials like BDO, Tahasildar, Revenue Inspector, Village Agriculture Worker and Sri Chandra Sekhar Majhi, Local MLA had visited his home to console the family.  Sarapanch had released Rs. 2,000.00 under Harishchandra Yojana, VAW personally gave Rs.500.00 to the family. The Govt. officials had assured is wife to ensure finance support to the family. But till yet no support has been given.

Observation of the Team  

The economic condition of the family is very poor.   It is very difficult   on the part of a woman to manage three children without any income.  His wife Asmita Kaudia  is not having that capacity to manage the  family. They are also not in position to repay the loan. This family should be financially supported at all costs.

Members of Fact-finding Team

1.      Biswa Mohan Panda, Member, Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan

2.      K. Simanchal Reddy, Social Activist, Koraput

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.23

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Laba Harijan, aged 58 belonging to Scheduled Caste of Bhajiguda in Kanga Gram Panchayat under Jeypore Block of Koraput district 

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:                   7.12.15

Despondent met by   the Team

1.        Sukaladi harijan, Wife of deceased

2.      Padaman Harijan, Elder son of deceased

3.      Villagers

Laba Harijan, aged 58 belonging to Scheduled Caste of Bhajiguda in Kanga Gram Panchayat under Jeypore Block of Koraput district   committed suicide by consuming poison in house on 7.11.15. He was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters and two daughter-in-laws.  Two daughters have already got married. Two married sons have got separated from the family. Laba and his wife were staying together being separated from their sons.  The family is neither covered under BPL category nor any other schemes implemented by Govt. He was also not wage labourer under NREGA.

He was having 5 acres of land.  Two acres of land have been mortgaged   since three years   to meet the need of the family. Other three acres are irrigated land.    The family members said that  over the years,  his father  had  brought loan   around  Rs.44,000.00 from Punjab National Bank,  Rs.25,000.00 from LAMPS,  Rs.80,000.00 from Utkal Gramya Bank. As he was having irrigated land, he had invested huge money expecting good yield.   But his hope got vanished due to crop  loss  in this year.  He was under tension due to huge loan and this year it got aggravated due to crop loss. He could not find out any ways to repay the loan. At last, being frustrated and hopeless, he committed suicide. 

After his suicidal death, BDO, Tahasildar, Sub-Collector (Jeypore), Revenue Inspector, Village Agriculture Worker had visited his house. Sarapanch released Rs.2500.00 to the family.  Agriculture officer had given Rs.1, 000.00.

Observation of the Team

It was observed that this family is not covered under any welfare or food security scheme.   The economic condition of the family is very weak.  This family should be covered under National Food Security Act.  His wife should be given pension under National Widow Pension Scheme.  As huge loan burden is on family, the Govt. should take steps   for waiver of the loan.

Members of the Fact-finding Team

1.      Biswa Ranjan Panda, Member, Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan

2.      K.Simanchal Reddy, Social Activist, Koraput

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.24

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Laxmidhar Bhatta, aged 48 belonging to OBC  of Raipada village  under Ranpur Block of Nayagarh district 

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:                   30.11.15

Despondent met by   the Team

1.        Sri Sukadev Bhatta, nephew of the deceased

2.      Minika Dei, wife of deceased

Sri Laxmidhara Bhatta, aged 48 of Raipada village under Ranapur Block of Nayagarh district committed suicide on  1^st Nov 2015 by drinking pesticide in his own house. He was surviving by his wife Minika Dei and two sons Mr.Dharanidhara Bhatta aged 16 years and   Mr Lipu Bhatta aged around 21years and one daughter Mrs. Sabita Bhatta who has already got married.   Lipu Bhatta is undermatric and unemployed whereas his son Dharanidhar Bhatta is matriculate.

He was having 2 acres of agriculture land and doing share-cropping in 5 acres of land. All the land is irrigated, as he was drawing water from Canal and pond.   He had cultivated vegetable crop like cucumber, bringal, ladies finger and bitter guard in his land. This year, due to bad rain fall and subsequent water crisis, he could not get the water and his entire crop got damaged.    The family members also said that he had borrowed Rs. 80,000 loan from Sahukars, Hand loan and from Laxmibai Woman SHG. When the crop got damaged, he lost his hope of repaying the loan.  In the meantime, woman SHG members quarrelled with his wife for repayment of loan. Finding no solution for repayment and getting hopeless, he commited suicide.

On query about    their awreness of drought package declared by Chief Minister, Odisha, the family members expressed their ignorance about it.  With regard to their expectation, they said that the Govt. should provide financial support for waiver of loan.

 .

  Members of Fact-finding Team

1.      Soumya Ranjan Pradhan, Social Activist, open Hand Organisation

2.      Santanu Sahu, RTI Activist

Farmers’ Suicide-Case No.25

Suicidal Death of a Farmer Debendra Mohapatra, aged 41 belonging to General Caste  of  Khetrapala village  under Dharmashala  Block of Jajpur district 

Date of the Visit of Fact-Finding Team:                   1.21.15

Despondent met by   the Team

1.         Debaki Mohapatra, Wife of deceased

2.      Ananta Swain, Villager

Sri Debendra Mohapatra, aged 41 belonging to General Caste of Khetrapala village under Dharmashala Block of Jajpur district   committed suicide by taking pesticide on 23.10.2015.  He was surviving by his wife Debaki Mohapatra and one daughter. He was   having Kutcha thatched house and enlisted as BPL category.  His name has also been enrolled   as Priority Household under National food Security Act. 

He was having 2 acres of cultivable land with no irrigation facility.   This year he had cultivated   5 acres of land    ( 3 acres share-croping).  Bue due to scanty rain fall, his  paddy cultivation got damaged  and  his  hope to  get  produces  got  vanished. He remained in tense due to crop loss. He also could not find out the ways how to repay the loan which has been borrowed from different people. Finding no solution, he committed suicuide.

After his death, his family has got hopeless and his wife is not finding solution to the problem left by his husband.  On query about their expectation, his wife Debaki mohapatra said that some financial support is required for survival, as there is earing member of the family.

Observation of the Team

The Team   observed that this is clear case of Farmers’ suicide.  The family is in distress situation.  Crop loss and subsequent suicidal death of bread-earner of the family has brough disastrous situation.  Financial support is highly required for the family.

Members of fact-Finding team

1.      Sri sachikant Pradhan, Member, odisha Nagarik samaj

2.      Sri pratap sahu, Social activist

Annexture-3

List of cases of alleged Farmers’ Suicide reported in various Newspapers in Odisha

Sl.No.	District	Block	Village	Name of farmers  Committed Suicide	Reason of suicide	Date  of  Suicide
1	Angul	Chhendipada	Chhendipada ( Kaintha Sahi)	Sahadev Dehuri Age-65	Loan from cooperative society of 9,530,	30.10.15
2	Angul	Pallahada	Jolanda	Gangadhar Nayak		31-10-2015,Sambada
3	Angul	Banrapala	Dabardhua	Sudam Biswal		31-10-2015, Sambada
4	Angul	Kanihan	Sipur	Nakul Pradhan Age-55	Crop damage	1-11-15, Samaja
5	Kalahandi	Kokasara	Gambhariguda	Baladev Majhi Age-45	Loan from mahajan of 30,000,	29.10.15
6	Kendrapara	Mahakalapada	Ostar	Rabindra mahali, aged 50		30.10.15
7	Dhenkanal	Kankadahada	Dasipur	Rama sahu, aged 42  ( woman)		30.10.15
8	Dhenkanal	Otapada	Ostapala	Bhramarbar Nayak Age-60	Crop damage, Loan of 40,000 from a sHG	1-11-2015, Samaja
9	Balangir	Turekela	Dhusamunda	Ujuli Bag(W) Age-50	Paddy & kappa Crop damage &  75,000 loan from village mahajan	2-11-2015, Prameya
10	Balangir	Saintala		Arakhita Majhi	Hand loan, mud gage,	29.10.15
11	Bargarh	Gaisilat	Khaliadhipar	Asarpi Bariha(W)		1-11-2015, Prameya
12	Ganjam	Buguda	Chadeiapali	Trilochan Badatya Age-40		30.10.15
13	Bargarh	Atabira	Jhiliminda	Susila Tiria Age-43		1.11.15
14	Bargarh		Chantipali GP Kermeli village	Premraj Barik Age-43	Crop damage & Loan	2-10-15, Samaj
15	Nabrangpur	Nandahandi	Purunapani	Bhaga Paika	Crop damage and Loan 20,000 from a SHG and 30,000 from a relative	29-10-2015 in Samaj
16	Jajpur	Dharmasala	Khetrapala	Debendra Mohap[atra Age-040	Hand loan for agriculture of 85,000, mental tension for drought,	23.10.15
17	Jajpur	Sukinda	Kankadapala GP, Garamina village	Sadhu Laguri Age-45		1-11-2015
18	Nuapara	Komna	Junagarh pada	Sadhu Nial	30,000 loan from SHG, 15,000 loan by mud gazing gold,	1-11-2015, Samaja
19	Devgarh	Tileibani	Gailo village of Jharagogua GP	Piter Barla Age-50	Crop damage, previous loan	29-10-2015 reported in Samaj
20	Mayurbhanj	Rairangpur town	radhanagar	Gungaram Bandra Age-	Loan, Crop damage, Mental pressure	18.11.15
21	Angul	Angul	Rantalei	Ranjan Sahu Age-37	Crop damage	18.11.15
22	Keonjhar	Pandapada PS	Basantpur	Santosh Patra Age-35	Crop damage,	18.11.15
23	Jajpur	Korei	Ichhapur	Sitaram Age-28	SHG loan- 30,000, and Copertative loan- 30,000 Notice from cooperative to refund loans	16.11.15
24	Kalahandi	Narla	Pujipadar	Somonath Majhi, Age-60	Crop damage & loan	16.11.15
25	Nabrangpur	Jhrigaon	Ramsa	Dasaru Gauda Age-55
26	Nabrangpur	Jharigaon	Nangaguda	Kamal Das Age-50
27	Berhampur	Purusotampur	Singipur	Lochan Bhuyan Age-55	Unable to pay the laborers wage	19.11.15
28	Sundargarh	Bisra PS	Kapranda	Sukra Oram Age-55	Lamps loan- 16,180, Loan to build Hotel 14,980	20.11.15
29	Dhenkanal	Bhuban		Rabi Mallick	Seening damaged crop	20.11.15
30	Keonjhar	Champua	Nisagadia	Raju Naik, Age-28	Coperative loan, crop damage, mental pressure	20.11.15
31	Nuapada	Sinapali	Dangariguda	Shobhasingh Majhi,age-45
32.	Nuapada	Komna	Sanbeheli	Joswant Rana,age-26
33.	Dhenkanal	Sadar	Sankulei	Baidhara Pradhana,age-65	Co-operative Loan and Hand-loan from different people, Crop-damage and mental-pressure	27-10-15, Samaya
34	Cuttack	Banki	Nuasahi	Banka Bihari Rout	Crop Damage and mental-pressure	27-10-2015, Samaja
35	Balangir	Luisingha	Manahira	Basudeba Bhoi,age-45	Crop-Damage, Hand-loan, Mental-pressure	20-10-2015, Samaj
36	Bargarh	Bhatli	Temren	Makaradwaja Bag, age-55	Scant rainfall caused loss of crop, loan availed from Co-operative Bank and various private financial institutions became a burden and Mental-Pressure	12-12-2015, SAMBADA
37	Sundergarh	Badagan	Itama	Sashidhara Behera, Age-65	Loss of Crop, Hand-Loan and Mental-pressure	12-12-2015, SAMBA DA
38	Khurdah	Jatani	Baranga-Ratagada-Nuasahi	Arjuna Mallik	Loss of crop, Loan Repayment burden and Mental Pressure	1-12-2015, Prameya
39	Kendrapara	Pattamundai	Khadianda	Arabinda Ray, Age-45	Loss of Crop and Burden of Loan-Repayment	15-11-2015, SAMBADA
40	Jajpur	Sukinda	Dudhujori Panchayat, Boulapal Village	Manjulata Dehuri, Age-40	Loss of Crop	15-11-2015, SAMBADA
41	Jharsuguda	Kolabira	Gudgan	Bibeka Kharsel, Age-22	Loss of crop and burden of Bank-Loan amounting Rs60,000	15-11-2015, SAMBADA
42	Khurdha	Khurdha	Tirimal Village(Paschima dwara Patanasahi)	Gobinda Kandi, Age-52	Loss of Crop and Loan Repayment Burden	21-11-2015, SAMAJA
43	Cuttack	Tangi-Choudwar	Mangarajpur Panchayat, Berana Village	Indramani Sinku, Age-52	Loss of Crop and Burden of Loan-Repayment	21-11-2015, SAMAJA
44	Bolangir	Bangamunda	Biripalli	Chulakanta Sahu, Age-25	Loss of Crop and Burden of Loan-Repayment	21-11-2015, SAMAJA
45	Balasore	Baliapal	Palajamakunda	Natabar Jena, aged 40	Loss of crop and loan burden	21.12.15, Sambad
46	Sambalpur		Bhikampur	Netra Ucchab, aged 35	DO	21.12.15 Sambad
47	Baragarh		Babaji Matha	Paresh Khadia	DO	DO

Details of issues relating to farmer’s suicide, Reaction or Comments given by State Government, Political Parties, Civil Society, Print and Electronic Media.

Date	Issues/Items	Reaction/Comments
	Farmers Suicide: How far true or false?	Sambada conducted a fact-finding on suicide of Sanatana Mirza of Dhenkanal and found that crop-damage and poor-financial condition are the reason for suicide.
3-12-2015	None of the farmers committed suicide due to crop-damage or Loan	Shri Bijayashree Routray, Revenue Minister in Assmbly in the question hour session gave the statement that no farmer has committed suicide under the burden of crop-damage or loan on 2-12-2015.
2-11-2015	A storm raised regarding farmer’s suicide where opposition leader Narasingha Mishra has accused the Government of provoking farmer’s to commit suicide and now the Government is scared to face the reality.	Damodara Rout, Minister, Co-operative Department on behalf of Government stated that Farmer’s are being provided various facilities like Agriculture Loan, Irrigation, Electrification for the purpose of irrigation but Narasingha Mishra blamed the Government that due to bogus promises of Government, the farmer’s are committing suicide.
16-11-2015	Extension of Loan-repayment period to 5years for the drought-affected farmers	“NITIDINA” News-paper had reported that Government of Odisha has extended Loan-Repayment tenure from 2years to 5years particularly for the farmers of drought-affected region issuing order through letter to Co-operative Banks and other Bankers.
16-11-2015	Bijaya Mohapatra, a Member of BJP’s National Executive Committee has accused Government of doing Farmer’s convention on the corpses of farmers.	A report published in “NEETIDINA” reflected the anguish of Bijaya Mohapatra who felt shocked and shattered that when maximum farmer’s suicide happened in Bargarh district so what was the intention of Government to organize a farmer’s convention on the grandeur of election-campaign.
16-11-2015	Pradip Pradhan, State Convenor, Right to Food Campaign,Odisha urged the Government to accept the plain truth regarding farmer’s suicide.	In an Article published in a leading News-Paper, Pradip Pradhan had slammed the report of Sarat Chandra Panda, Sub-Collector, Bolangir and Patanagarh, Collectors of other Districts and Tahasildaras  in which they stated that other reasons not crop-damage and burden of loan effected farmer’s suicide.
4-15-2015 (SAMAJA)	Prabhasa Mishra, a Social Activist has written an Article, “Farmers’ Suicide: the dodged questions”.	In a thread-bare article published in “Samaj”, Prabhasa Mishra had presented a clear-cut picture of status of Agriculture in Odisha and attributed reasons like Farmer’s problem and weak Government Policy measures were the root-cause of Farmer’s suicide.
30-11-2015 (SAMBADA)	In an article published in ‘SAMBAD’, Mahameghabahana Airya Kharabela Swain had suggested various measures to save farmers from the trappings of farmers’ suicide.	In an Article published in ‘SAMBAD’, Kharabela Swain had suggested some proposals stemmed from his experience and he blamed the policy lacunae of both Central Government and State Government the prime-reasons of farmer’s suicide.
1-12-2015 (SAMBADA)	“Farmer’s Suicide vis-à-vis Government Convention”, A Article of Saroj published in “SAMBAD”.	In an Article published in “SAMBAD”, Saroj had criticized the BJD Government for organizing a grand convention incurring expenditure of Rs10crore from state-exchequer is nothing but a smoke-screen to divert the real-issue of farmer’s suicide.
1-12-2015 (SAMBAD)	“34% of electricity is mis-utilized, Only 1.44% Electricity is reserved for Agriculture and Irrigation and  1.53% Electricity reserved for Drinking Water” as stated by Pranab Prakash Das, the Energy Minister.	In a reply to question asked by Dillip Ray, Pranab Prakash Das, Energy Minister had replied that only 1.44% of Electricity is consumed for Agriculture sector. The rest of electricity is supplied to Companies and other sector.
23-11-2015 (Prameya)	Govt. of Odisha has demanded a package of 1,687 as drought compensation for Odisha from Central Government.	The Government of Odisha has sent the current Drought-Severity Report to Central Government demanding Rs1,687crore as drought-compensation.
23-11-2015 (SAMAJA)	Congress Party,Odisha had released a White-Paper on “Farmer’s Suicide” putting the blame on Govt. of Odisha for farmer’s suicide to which Government replied that “Damaged Crops and burden of Loan” were not the reasons behind farmer’s suicide.	Congress Party had put a White-Paper on distress drought condition of Odisha shifting the entire blame on Government of Odisha. Government of Odisha had retorted the allegation leveled were absurd and baseless. Congress party had slammed the double-standard of Govt. of Odisha stating that in one hand Government was stating that “Loss of Crop” and “Loan-Burden” weren’t the reason for farmer’s suicide but on the other hand, the Government was soliciting a drought-compensation of Rs1,687crore which was nothing but a covert attempt of Government to hide the truth.
24-11-2015 (Times of India)	The Government of Odisha moves centre seeking a Drought-Package of Rs1,700crore.	The Govt. Of Odisha through a submission of Memorandum had solicited a Drought-package of Rs1700crore but an interesting paradox was the Government had mentioned that Farmer’s had not died due to “Loss of Crops” in the report in the same-breath.
24-11-2015 (SAMBAD)	Government had turned a blind-eye to the plight of  farmers despite admitting the impact of drought-severity.	Pradeep Mohapatra, Special Relief Commissioner of Govt. Of Odisha had admitted the Drought-Severity in Odisha but stated that it couldn’t be linked to Farmer’s suicide as the reports of Collectors of various districts indicated that farmer’s had not committed suicide due to “Loss of Crops”.
10-10-2015 (SAMBAD)	Again three numbers of farmers died.	A fact-finding study conducted by Journalists in Pahadashreegida village of Atabira block Baragarh district, Jujumara block of Sambalpur District and Kesinga block of Kalahandi district had revealed that Ujagara Gumura of Pahadashreegida village of Atabira block, Sanatana Mirdha of Jujumara block, Sambalpur and Uanshu Meher of Kesinga block, Kalahandi had committed suicide.
10-10-2015 (Prameya)	The death-toll of Farmers is on rise	A team comprising leaders of B.J.P had visited drought-affected area of Odisha and blamed the Government on issue of Farmer’s suicide based upon the data-collected.
15-11-2015 (Sambada)	“Again death of three farmers” is the data collected by Journalists.	A fact-finding conducted by Journalists had reported that during 13-11-2015 to 14-11-2015 within a span of 24hours, 3 numbers of Farmers had committed suicide.
14-11-2015 (Sambada)	“A warning to Government not to throw water on Farmer’s agitation”-Paschima Odisha Farmer’s Protection Coordination Committee.	An Agitation March was organized by Paschima Odisha Krushaka Surakhya Samanaya Samiti in Baragarh dated on 9-11-2015 where Government was warned not to spoil the spirit of Farmer’s agitation march.
17-11-2015 (Prameya)	Naveen Pattnaik is terribly annoyed and told Pramila Mallick to beg apology otherwise there wouldn’t be any mercy on her.	Naveen Pattnaik, CM of Odisha was vividly angry and upset over the statement of Pramila Mallick who told that, “incidents of Farmer’s committing suicide due to crop-loss are false and fabricated and instead they should be given immortal Sweets to conquer over death-fear.” An inside report stated that Naveen Pattnaik was so flabbergasted that he ordered Pramila Mallick to beg apology to farmer’s for her irresponsible statement otherwise there would be no apology from Government for Pramilla Mallick.
17-11-2015 (Samaja)	Grant of Loan particularly for drought-affected Farmers in Kharif Season as ordered by Secretary, Agriculture to Managing Director of Bank.	Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Agriculture, Government of Odisha had ordered Bank-Managing Directors to provide loans for Rabi-season to exclusively for those Farmers who had been affected by severity of drought.
17-11-2015 (Times of India)	Opposition Parties like BJP and Congress are afraid that BJD’s Farmer’s Rally may back-fire.	The Farmer’s Convention supposed to be organized on 19-11-2015 at Sohela of Baragarh is believed to be morally-weak and opposition parties like BJP and Congress apprehend that the move by BJD in sheer-desperation to show the solid backing of Farmers behind it may backfire due to simmering discontent of Farmers for BJD Government.
11-11-2015 (Prameya)	Prameya had reported that two numbers of Farmers had died in Jharigaon.	As reported by PRAMEYA, two numbers of farmers had committed suicide in Umarakota area.
17-11-2015 (Times of India)	3 more debt-ridden farmers end-lives, toll now over 100 as stated by Women Congress,Odisha	Launching a stiff protest against the “Immortal Sweet” comment of Pramilla Mallick, the Women Congress of Odisha had burnt the effigy of Pramila Malllick and simultaneously ridiculed B.J.D invoking it to launch a “Immortal Sweet” scheme.
18-11-2015 (Prameya)	Fed her immortal sweet, then burnt the effigy.	“Odisha Civil Society Forum” had protested “Immortal Sweet” comment of Pramila Mallick tooth and nail and burnt her effigy at Gandhi Marg after feeding her “Immortal Sweet”.
18-11-2015 (Prameya)	The report of Government reflected that 16,000 villages in Odisha are drought-affected.	21 Districts, 139 blocks and 16,000 villages of Odisha had been drought-affected as reported by Govt. of Odisha.
18-11-2015 (Prameya)	Another farmer lost live and attempt made to hijack the incident to which Congress-Party had protested before Police-Station.	In Puruna Pani village of Khristimaguda belonging to Nandahandi block of Nabarangpur, Labanya Jani had committed suicide reacting to which Congress-Party had conducted a Road-blockade and protested before Police-Station.
18-11-2015 (SAMBADA)	M.P creates trouble for BJD-The statement of Prasana Pattasani.	The Farmer’s convention at Sohela organized by BJD had been criticized by it’s own M.P, Prasanna Pattasani for which the party had condemned the statement of Prasanna Pattasani.
18-11-2015 (SAMBADA)	Another two number of Farmers had committed suicide.	Due to current acute drought-situation, SAMBADA had reported that 2number of Farmers in Sambalapur and Nabarangpur districts had committed suicide.
18-11-2015 (SAMBADA)	Civil Society Organization had burnt the Effigy.	The Effigy of Pramila Mallick had been burnt by Civil Society Organization who sarcastically commented that Farmers should be fed “Immortal Ladhu” making a mockery of Farmer’s suicide incidents.
15-11-2015 (SAMAJA)	Minister had to face untoward situation as members of “Naba-Nirmana Krushaka Sangathana” slept before the Car of the Minister.	Pradeep Maharathi, Minister of Agriculture was supposed to grace “Ghadimula Child-Festival” in Jagatsinghpur but he he was stalked in the way by members of “Nabanirmana Krushaka Sangathan” who slept in front of his Car as a Mark of Protest implying the role of Minister in Farmer’s suicide episode was pivotal.
15-11-2015 (Samaja)	The air is thick with the allegation that Farmers had committed suicide under the burden of Loan.	Due to acute Drought resulting in “Loss of Crop” and “burden of Loan-repayment” had forced Jigarana Bangali, the farmer to commit suicide by drinking poison in Khadianga Panchayat of Pattamundai block of Kendrapara.
15-11-2015 (Samaja)	The Women-Farmer who committed suicide.	Rebati Majhi, a Woman Farmer in Kusumkhunta village of Borenga G.P of Boden Block, Nuapada had committed suicide.
19-11-2015 (Times of India)	“BJD to highlight the Sops offered by it to Farmers at Sohela Rally”-Surya Narayan Patra, Vice-President, BJD.	Naveen Pattnaik had organized a Farmer’s convention at Sohela, Baragarh to save his face from the slur of Farmer’s suicide so that Party’s credential as Pro-farmer Government would be fortified.
19-11-2015 (PRAMEYA)	Naveen Pattnaik, Chief Minister, Odisha had ordered stern action against Money-Lenders.	The recent spate of Farmer’s suicide incidents had forced Naveen Pattnaik to wake-up from his slumber ordering the Collectors to provide relief to farmer’s in drought-affected areas and initiate stern action against Money-Lenders who were providing loan to Farmer’s at exorbitant rate of interest.
19-11-2015 (SAMBADA)	“The sweet of Arrogance”-Soumya Ranjan Pattnaik.	Soumya Ranjan Pattnaik of SAMBAD had termed the “Immortal Ladhu” comment of Pramilla Mallick as the “Height of Arrogance” by writing in detail in an Article published in “SAMBADA” Newspaper. Launching a scathing attack on Government in his Article Soumya Ranjan Pattnaik had accused the Government of beating about the bushes to hide it’s own weakness though Government was fully aware of the fact that Farmer’s had committed suicide owing to the fact “Loss of Crop” and “Burden of Loan-repayment.”
18-11-2015 (Sarbasadharana)	Effigy of Pramila Mallick was burnt and Civil Society conducted a protest March seeking eviction of Pramila Mallick from the Party.	Taking a strong exception to the comment of Pramila Mallick, The M.L.A, BJD, the Civil Society Organization of Odisha had burnt the effigy of Pramilla Mallick as a mark of stiff protest.
19-11-2015 (Pioneer)	Civil Society Body protests “Immortal Ladhu” comment.	Civil Society Organization of Odisha had condemned the “Immortal Ladoo” statement of Pramilla Mallick demanding her eviction along with eviction of Pradeep Maharathi, Agriculture, Minister from the Party.
18-11-2015 (Parjyabekhaka)	On issue of “Immortal Ladoo”, the effigy of Pramila Mallick was burnt.	Civil Society Organization of Odisha had condemned the “Immortal Ladoo” statement of Pramilla Mallick demanding her eviction along with eviction of Pradeep Maharathi, Agriculture, Minister from the Party
19-11-2015 (SAMBADA)	Agriculture Minister was denied access to Agriculture Convention.	On 19-11-2015, a Farmer’s convention had been organized in Sohela of Bargarh where Pradeep Maharathi, Agriculture Minister, Damodara Rout, Co-operation Minister, Bijayashree Routray, Revenue Minister and Nagendra Pradhan, MP, Sambalpur had been denied permission to attend the Convention from the office of the Chief Minister because they partly admitted the onus of responsibility of Government in Farmer’s suicide cases.
19-11-2015 (SAMAJA)	Controversial Statements of Ministers put Government in dock.	A host of Ministers of BJD Government had made controversial statement relating to Farmer’s suicide for which matter spiraled down bad to worse for BJD Government for which Chief Minister had expressed displeasure over these Ministers.
17.12.15 ( TOI)	Widows real victims of Farmers’ Suicide	Cover Story made  by Times of India  about  sorrows and sufferings of the widows whose husband –farmers committed suicide due to crop loss and loan burden. Three widows  i.e, Osmati Kaudia of Kundra Block of Koraput district, Koushalya Ada of Boden Block of Nuapara district  and Sukeshi Nayak of Sukruli Block of  Mayurbhanj district  presented  their  agonies  in a Public Hearing  on Farmers suicide organised  by Civil society Groups in Bhubaneswar  on 13.12.15
25.12.15 ( Sambad)	Farmers’ Narrative	This is  an article written by Das Benuhur, famous Columnist  who has made very in depth analysis from various perspective  how  the farmers condition is terrible  and the  callousness of the administration  to understand the  precarious condition of  agriculture  in the state.