TV
The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) announced on Friday that it will hold protests on January 6 in response to an alleged price rise of essential commodities in Odisha. The announcement was made during a press conference in Bhubaneswar.
The BJD claims that, since the 'double engine' government, prices for essential goods such as cooking gas, petrol, diesel, pulses, oil, eggs, and vegetables have sharply increased, particularly impacting rural communities.
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BJD has warned that should the Government fail to address this issue, the protests will be intensified and extended to all 30 districts of the State thereafter (January 6 onwards).
“Be it the potato, onion, garlic, or cooking oil, and petrol, diesel, or kerosene, the prices of essential commodities skyrocketed like anything in the recent past. The commodities have been pinching the pockets of consumers across Odisha,” BJD’s Sanjay Das Burma said.
Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra accused the BJD saying the welfare policies enacted by the BJP-led government have led to the Opposition’s dissatisfaction, prompting them to stage a stir in the State.
“Our government (BJP-led) has the confidence of the people. Since the taking of oaths, we have been implementing welfare policies. They (BJD leaders) have become perturbed with this and have started connecting with people,” Minister Patra stated.
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The Food Supplies Minister alleged that during its 24-year tenure, the BJD neglected to engage with the populace effectively, but the BJD has resorted to mere populist tactics.
The Minister further criticised the lack of production-oriented initiatives for staple commodities such as potatoes and onions during BJD rule, which he stressed are now being undertaken by the present government.
