Bhubaneswar: BJD on Tuesday staged a protest here alleging serious irregularities in paddy procurement and accusing the state govt of failing to address farmers’ grievances. BJP countered that BJD was indulging in “cheap politics” to stay relevant.Addressing a farmers’ rally, BJD president and leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik demanded a special squad to prevent weight-cut deductions during procurement on the pretext of poor quality.
Naveen said the Mohan Charan Majhi govt “neither takes proper decisions nor implements them”. “During elections they made big promises and long commitments. But nothing has been delivered,” he said.Listing measures taken by previous BJD govt, including a special budget for farmers, KALIA assistance, loan facilities and irrigation projects, Naveen questioned what the “double-engine government” had done so far.He alleged that farmers were not getting fertiliser on time, paddy procurement was slow, deductions were rising and payments were being delayed. “When farmers complain, the govt says they are lying,” he said.The former CM said he had written to the govt detailing farmers’ issues and demanded a special squad to curb deductions, action against the alleged miller–official nexus, removal of the 150 quintal ceiling for input subsidy, and DBT payment within 48 hours. He also sought immediate lifting of paddy lying in the open within 72 hours. “Fifteen days have passed but nothing has happened. Hundreds of crores are being spent on publicity but not on farmers,” he said.He accused the govt of failing on multiple fronts. “Farmers are not getting their rights. Mothers are not getting security. Youth are not getting employment. Exam papers leak. This govt cannot even conduct a single exam properly. People need service, not sermons,” Naveen said, adding that the BJD would continue to fight for farmers’ rights.Countering the allegations, BJP spokesperson Biranchi Narayan Tripathy said the BJD was doing “theatrics to save its existence”. He claimed the BJP government was procuring “1.5 times more paddy than what was purchased during the BJD regime” and was “fully committed to farmers’ welfare”.Tripathy said despite being in power for 24 years, Naveen had failed to resolve long-standing issues faced by farmers. “If he had done something for farmers, he would not be sitting in the opposition today,” he said. He also questioned why the BJD was disrupting the Assembly despite claiming it would play the role of a constructive opposition. The first phase of the budget session ended on Tuesday and the House will reconvene on March 9.“From the chief minister to ministers and MLAs, senior BJP leaders are visiting mandis to understand farmers’ problems. The government is making all efforts to streamline procurement,” Tripathy added.
