Bhubaneswar, Oct 21 (IANS): The Congress on Wednesday lashed at the Odisha government for failing to control impact of the drought-like situation in the state that has forced farmers to commit suicide.

The party demanded the state should be declared drought affected. It will organise a 'Save farmers' agitation on November 6 across the state against the anti-farmer policies of the government.

"The state government should immediately declare Odisha drought affected. The state has received less rainfall due to weak monsoon this year," said Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prasad Harichandan.

Harichandan said the state government is not bothered about the plight of farmers, 27 of whom committed suicide in the last three weeks due to crop loss.

"While the chief minister is in New Delhi, the agriculture secretary is on a foreign trip and the agriculture minister is spending his days in his farm-house. The state government is also on Dussehra holidays," he said.

Harichandan also critised the central government for not declaring any assistance to the farmers or increasing the minimum support price on paddy crop.

Appealing to the farmers to deal with the drought situation with courage, he said the Congress has launched two helpline numbers for distressed farmers.

The helpline numbers are 0674-2535577/2533551.