BJP demands Chakada pest spread checked

BJP members on Wednesday demanded in the State Assembly that the State Government take immediate steps to check brown grasshoppers (Chakada Poka)’s attack on crops in Sambalpur district and send arrested and ailing former MLA Jayanarayan Mishra to the AIIMS, New Delhi for better treatment.

Raising the issue, Rabi Narayan Naik said brown grasshoppers have started attacking Rabi crops on three blocks in Sambalpur district, worrying farmers. Brown grasshoppers have unprecedentedly attacked Rabi crops. Government officials have not yet distributed insecticides to check spread of the pest for which farmers have been sitting on a dharna for the last 26 days, he said.

“Due to Chakada Poka, many farmers lost crops and committed suicide last year. The Government should take early action so that such a situation doesn’t recur this year,” Naik said and demanded that the Speaker direct the Government to take necessary steps in this regard.

Besides, he said former MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, who is in judicial custody now, has been suffering from cancer. He was undergoing treatment at the VIMSAR, Burla and has now been shifted to SCB Medical College, Cuttack. “There are no facilities for Mishra’s treatment at the SCB Medical College Hospital. I want to request you to direct the Government to take required steps to shift Mishra to the AIIMS, New Delhi for proper treatment,” said Naik.

BJP Legislature Party Leader KV Singh Deo too made the same demand.