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The heat of rice politics was felt in the ongoing Budget Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Tuesday with the ruling BJD accusing the Opposition BJP of not allowing a discussion on topics that involves common people’s interest.
Coming down heavily on the Opposition, the BJD alleged the saffron party is creating ruckus in the House over irrelevant matters.
Speaking to media, BJD MLA Arun Sahoo said, “The Centre has slashed Rs 71000 crore in the budget. Besides, it has also discontinued 5 kg rice which was distributed to beneficiaries during Covid-19 pandemic. This will affect 3.25 crore people of the State.”
“The Centre used to procure 17-18 lakh MT rice and now it is also reluctant for rice procurement,” the legislator added.
Responding to the allegations, the BJP said no one is stopping the BJD government from providing rice at Re 1 per kg.
“The BJD was claiming they were providing the rice at Re 1. No one is stopping them to provide rice to the beneficiaries. We don’t have any problem even if they (BJD) give 50 kg rice to the beneficiaries. The Centre’s rice was an assistance during Covid time,” said Leader of Opposition (LoP) and senior BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra.
(Reported by Harihar Chand, OTV)
