TNI Bureau: The Biju Janata Dal today strongly criticized the BJP-led Odisha government over what it termed a failure in paddy procurement, alleging that promises made to farmers have not been fulfilled.
The criticism came after former Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, expressing deep concern over the situation and urging immediate corrective steps.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan, former Minister and BJD Vice President Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, former Minister and Senior General Secretary Rohit Pujari, and Party Spokesperson and Senior General Secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra said the government has disappointed the farming community.
Das Burma said the BJP had promised to procure paddy at Rs. 3,100 per quintal along with MSP, ensure procurement without any deductions, and make payments through DBT within 48 hours. However, he said these promises have not been kept.
According to the BJD, against a Kharif procurement target of 73 lakh metric tonnes, only 41.96 lakh metric tonnes—about 57 per cent—has been procured so far. Out of 19,66,181 registered farmers, only 9,65,546 farmers, around 49 per cent, have been able to sell their paddy. The party compared this with neighbouring Chhattisgarh, where procurement has exceeded the target.
Rohit Pujari said Naveen Patnaik had also suggested concrete measures, including deploying special squads in mandis to stop illegal deductions, withdrawing the 150-quintal ceiling for input subsidy, ensuring procurement from all registered farmers, making DBT payments within 48 hours, and lifting all paddy from mandis within 72 hours. He warned that the BJD would take to the streets if the issue is not resolved.
Bhrugu Baxipatra alleged that the government is discouraging paddy cultivation and cited a letter from the Union Finance Ministry restricting bonuses or input subsidies during procurement. He said paddy cultivation is the traditional agriculture of Odisha and that farmers are being demoralised.
The BJD urged the state government to immediately implement Naveen Patnaik’s proposals and address the crisis in paddy procurement.
