Farmer commits suicide over crop loss in Jajpur

Jajpur: Yet another indebted farmer has committed suicide owing to crop loss and consequent financial distress in Jajpur district. Under heavy financial burden, Sushant Gantayat, 42, from Dihanarasinghpur village under Putunia panchayat of Dharmasala block here ended his life by consuming poison.
Sushant allegedly swallowed poisoned last Friday and died Sunday while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, said a source.
The deceased had cultivated paddy in two acres; black gram and green gram in one acre of land each. However, the he lost the paddy crop owing to lack of water and the black gram and green gram crops due to pest attack.
According to his wife, Sushant had taken loans amounting to Rs 2 lakh from a self help group and other money lenders in the locality. He is reported to have taken the extreme step after realising his inability to pay off the debt.
Although his family members rushed him to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment, he could not be saved despite the best efforts from the medical staff.
Neither the district administration nor other government agencies has met Sushant’s family at the time of filing this report.