Rourkela: A farmer from Bargarh district has sought permission for euthanasia, alleging that delays in getting a procurement token for the govt’s paddy procurement have left him under severe financial and mental stress.Gopal Krushna Sahu, 34, resides with his nine more family members at Melchhamunda village in Bargarh district. Sahu and his family members are dependent on cultivation. Sahu has written to the district collector seeking permission for euthanasia after allegedly facing difficulties in selling his paddy at a govt procurement centre (mandi) because he has not got a token for the same.In the letter dated June 23, copies of which were marked to the President, Prime Minister, Odisha chief minister and Governor of Odisha, Sahu mentioned that despite applying for a procurement token required for selling paddy at the mandi, the authorities did not issue the token or take steps to procure his produce. He applied for a token three months ago, but he has not yet been issued the token.According to Sahu, he borrowed money from various sources for paddy cultivation and had assured lenders that the loans would be repaid after the sale of his crop through the govt procurement system. Sahu said he borrowed around Rs 50,000 for his mother’s medical treatment in Raipur and creditors are constantly pressuring him to return their money.Sahu said since he has not yet got the token, delay in paddy procurement has prevented him from clearing his debts and looking after his family and their needs. “I applied for the token three months ago to sell my paddy at the mandi. The authorities did not take steps in this regard. I even raised the issue at different office, including in the collectorate, but have not yet got the result. Now, I am under severe mental stress to repay the loans and arrange money for various needs of my family,” Sahu said.The farmer has further written, “I have not yet been able to sell the paddy, and kharif season has appeared, but I am incapable of cultivating in the kharif season. When I get the token, I would be able to sell my paddy and thereafter I will be able to return the borrowed amount to the creditors. Otherwise, I will face a lot of difficulties, and I will be forced to end my life, for which permission be granted to me.”Despite repeated attempts to get the response of collector Aditya Goyal in this regard, his mobile went unanswered.
