Odisha CM attends BJD’s dharna in New Delhi over hike in paddy MSP

ONI Bureau:  Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik attended the Biju Krushak Janata Dal’s dharna at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi today.

Over 2000 protestors including BJD MPs, MLAs, district presidents, members of the party youth wing, women and BJD workers joined the protest.

Addressing the rally over hike in MSP of paddy for Odisha farmers Naveen said, “Farmer is soul of Indian Economy. Without the development of farmers our economy can’t be strengthened. Odisha has introduced KALIA scheme which is the best scheme for farmers. This will provide financial aid to 92% of our farmers including small farmers, marginal farmers, sharecroppers and landless people.”

He further stated that Odisha Govt have requested Central Government several times to increase the Minimum Support Price for paddy. Odisha Assembly has also passed a resolution and sent to the Centre to hike the Minimum Support Price by one and half times. But nothing has happened.

However, BJP has forgotten the promises made to farmers after it came to power. It is the responsibility of the Central Government to fix the minimum support price for food grains and implement M.S. Swaminathan Committee’s Report. Central Government can’t escape from this responsibility, Naveen added.

Regarding ‘Financial Autonomy’ for State BJD supremo said, “If we had financial autonomy, we could have paid for the rights of farmers from our own funds. Minimum Support Price is the right of farmers. BJD has been working for the right of farmers and will continue to do so. Our fight for farmers’ right will continue.”