Key Announcements:
* Rs 35,000 crore package for Western Odisha over the next 5 years.
* 80% of that package to be spent on Agriculture.
* Interest rate on Agricultural Loan to be just 1%.
* Farmers in Drought-hit areas to get assistance of Rs 100 per quintal paddy.
* Rs 13,000 crore to be spent for electrification.
* 2 irrigation projects for Bargarh district – One on river Aung at cost of Rs 1500 crore, another on river Jeera at cost of Rs 300 crore.
While announcing these measures, Naveen Patnaik criticised the centre, saying they did not sanction a single rupee, whereas his government has allocated Rs 1000 crore for farmers.
“Odisha has got many awards for agriculture. We are proud of our farmers. We have been with them always. My government has always given emphasis on agriculture. It’s wrong to say that we are not serious towards the farmers’ cause. I was with farmers, will be with them always,” said Naveen.
Naveen slams the opposition for frequent press meets and pada yatra, saying they should stop shedding crocodile tears. “We believe in action, not in words,” he said.
Naveen Patnaik also asked his MLAs and MPs to meet the farmers and listen to their problems. While Revenue Minister Bijayashree Routray and Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy were not invited, former Revenue Minister Surjya Narayan Patro was active in the rally and even seen with the CM on many occasions, fueling speculations that he could stage a comeback to the Cabinet soon.
CM Naveen Patnaik did a mistake at Sohela Chasi Samabesa. He said his government will keep fighting to get the special category status for Odisha. But, he forgot that no such provision exists anymore and Odisha will never get it as per the rule book.