Ruling-BJD fumes after Centre rejects demand to hike paddy MSP

Bhubaneswar: Ruling-BJD today slammed the Centre for rejecting Odisha govt’s proposal to hike minimum support price (MSP) of paddy.

The ruling party stated farmers of Odisha would stage protests if the Centre does not reconsider its decision.

Rohit Pujari, deputy chief whip of the ruling party, said, “It is unfortunate that the Agriculture Ministry rejected the State’s MSP hike proposal. Instead it has stated in a letter to the State government that if farmers are unhappy with the current MSP, they can sell paddy in the open market.”

BJD MLA Sanjay Dasburma said, “The Agriculture Ministry’s decision on paddy MSP shows anti-Odisha attitude of the Centre.”

Refuting the charges, Odisha BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma stated though the Chief Minister had promised sops for farmers in Sohela of Bargarh, they are yet to get anything.

“Odisha can follow the footsteps of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and provide financial aid to farmers from own funds,” Sharma said.

In a letter, the Agriculture Ministry said Odisha’s demand for paddy MSP hike is not logical. If farmers are unhappy with the MSP, they can sell their paddy in open market, the letter added.