December 30th 2024.
Former Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, took to the field on Monday to assess the damage caused by unseasonal rain in Ganjam district and urged the state government to provide prompt compensation to the struggling farmers.
Patnaik visited five areas in the district, including Seragada, Aska, Kabisuryanagar, Khallikote and his own assembly segment, Hinjili. Speaking to reporters after his visit, he expressed his concern for the severe crop damage and the distress faced by the farmers. He also mentioned that during his tenure, it was common practice to quickly compensate farmers in such situations.
As the backbone of the economy, Patnaik believes that the farmers deserve better support from the government. He highlighted that many farmers, including women, have not received any visit from government officials to assess the damage to their crops. He also pointed out that if the farmers had received prior information about the unseasonal rain, they could have taken measures to protect their crops.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president assured the struggling farmers that he will fight for their rights. He emphasized the need for immediate and adequate compensation from the state government to help them get back on their feet. The BJD also released video clips of Patnaik's field visits and interactions with the affected farmers.
During his visit, a farmer pleaded for help from Patnaik, stating that without assistance, many people would be forced to migrate for survival. According to the Leader of Opposition's office, Patnaik is set to visit paddy fields in Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara on Tuesday, as these districts have also been affected by the unseasonal rain.
In response to Patnaik's visit, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, commented that if Patnaik had met with farmers during his time as Chief Minister, he would not have faced defeat. Meanwhile, senior BJD leader and former minister, Debi Prasad Mishra, claimed that the BJP leaders are now starting to visit agricultural fields to assess crop damage because they are "afraid of Patnaik."
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