Paddy MSP hike: BJD to stage dharna before Raj Bhavan on Nov 27

Bhubaneswar:  After being cornered by opposition parties over farmers’ issue in Odisha, the BJD has now decided to intensify its agitation seeking a hike in paddy minimum support price (MSP).

In a counter move, the ruling BJD will stage a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan on November 27 against Centre’s decision to reject Odisha’s demand for hike in paddy MSP.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, BJD senior leader Sanjay Das Burma said the party would stage dharna to press the demand for a hike in paddy minimum support price (MSP) to Rs 2,930 per quintal from existing Rs 1,550.

Burma further said that the party would stage similar protests in all 30 districts if the Centre does not change its attitude towards the farmers' demands and give a ‘clear’ vision on the paddy MSP.

The BJD activists would also submit a memorandum to Governor SC Jamir in this regard.

Party vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre is ignoring the genuine rights and demands of farmers.

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Mishra said, "The Modi government has failed to fulfill its promise even after three years of coming to power. When we demand to increase the MSP to Rs 2930, senior officials in the agriculture department are justifying the meager hike of Rs 80 (for common variety) per quintal for 2017-18. This shows the anti-farmer attitude of the NDA government," Mishra added.

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