Bhubaneswar: Intensifying its protest over the Centre's decision to increase the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy by a mere Rs 80 per quintal for the financial year 2017-18, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today staged demonstration across the State.
Alleging sheer apathy of the BJP-led Central government towards the plight of the farmers in Odisha, BJD workers today staged protest in front of the Panchayat Samiti Office, Bhubaneswar.
The party will continue its 2-hour long protest in front of the block offices across the State till July 18, said a party worker.
Led by the Dhenkanal district youth BJD President Yasobanta Parida, BJD workers today staged protest in front of Bhuban block in the district.
MP Tathagata Satpathy and Hindol legislator Simarani Nayak also took part in the agitation and demanded hike in MSP for paddy to Rs 2930 per quintal. They also submitted a memorandum, addressed to the Governor, to the Bhuban block development officer.
In Bhadrak town, the local BJD MLA and the party's Krushak Cell along with people's representative of different social forum in Mayurbhanj district also staged protest and termed the Rs 80 hike as a 'joke' to the farmers' community in the State.
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Also Read: Odisha opposes hike in paddy MSP by Rs 80 a quintal
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government had earlier announced to launch a week-long state-wide protest over the mere Rs 80 per quintal hike in MSP for paddy for 2018 fiscal and alleged that during the 2014 general election, the Saffron party had promised to double the MSP for paddy based on the recommendation of the Swaminathan Committee but the Modi government betrayed the farmers after coming to power.
It is worth mentioning that the State Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution during the last session demanding a hike in paddy MSP to Rs 2,930 per quintal. The House Committee chaired by the Speaker had also sought an appointment to meet the Prime Minister to present their demand for consideration. However, it is alleged that the PM is reluctant to meet the committee.