Agriculture presented a pathetic scene amid allegation of a major scam in distribution of seeds. Opposition parties also alleged distress sale of paddy by farmers in many areas due to failure on the part of the government to open “Mandis” in time for procurement.
The issue relating plight of farmers dominated the proceedings in the state Assembly during winter session with members cutting across party lines demanding opening of adequate number of ‘mandis' in the state to facilitate peasants to sale their produce at the proper price.
As the year was drawing to a close, unseasonal rains and hailstorm lashed four coastal districts of Balasore, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur on December 12 claiming the lives of at least eight people besides causing substantial loss to paddy crop.
