1,358 Odisha farmers committed suicide in 8 years: Minister

Bhubaneswar, Sep 29: As many as 1,358 farmers including 155 women have allegedly committed suicide in a span of eight years in Odisha, state agriculture minister Pradeep Kumar Maharathy said today.

Maharathy said this quoting the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) while replying to a written question in the state Assembly.

He said the state government has announced a number of steps to avoid such incidents in Odisha.

The alleged suicide incidents took place between 2007 and 2014, the minister said adding, while 240 farmers including 15 women allegedly committed suicide in 2007, the toll was 260 including 15 women in 2008, 154 in 2009, 162 in 2010, 144 in 2011, 146 in 2012, 150 in 2013 and 102 in 2014.

Maharathy said the agriculture department has no information regarding government assistance for the families of farmers who allegedly committed suicide.

PTI