Odisha to seek PM’s appointment again to press for paddy MSP hike

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Legislative Assembly’s House Committee has decided to seek appointment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for hike in Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy.

The Speaker will soon write a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) seeking his appointment before the start of the winter session of the Assembly on November 28, informed Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout on Friday.

Though similar efforts were initiated by the committee to meet PM over MSP hike earlier, it did not materialize due to lack of confirmation from the PMO, sources said.

Congress leader Narasingh Mishra informed that earlier a unanimous resolution was passed in the Assembly for fixing paddy MSP at Rs 2,930 per quintal.

Also Read: Paddy MSP hike: BJD stages protest across Odisha, alleges Centre’s apathy

Mishra, who is also the leader of the opposition (LoP), further criticized the Prime Minister for not finding time to meet an Assembly committee headed by the Speaker.

Though the committee had sought appointment twice, there was no response from the Prime Minister's Office, he said.

Senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipatni on the other hand threatened to stage a demonstration in front of the PMO if no time is given to the Odisha House Committee this time to put forth its demand.

Also Read: Ruling party creates uproar over paddy MSP hike; House adjourned