Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced a bonus of `100 per quintal of paddy for farmers during the current kharif season.
Addressing a public meeting here, Naveen also declared waiver of two per cent of market fees and two per cent of Central Sales Tax (CST) on paddy which would boost trading in rice in open market.
The bonus will be paid to farmers who sell their paddy to Government procurement agencies till April next year. Naveen said the additional financial burden will be borne by the State Government.
The Government’s decision came three days after Patnaik’s convoy was obstructed by farmers near the State Secretariat on December 24.
At least 26 members of the Navanirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) were arrested on charge of obstructing the convoy.
While demanding bonus for affected farmers, the NKS activists had also created disturbance in audience gallery of the Assembly during the winter session of the House.
Addressing public gatherings at Haldipali near Sohela and Bheden in the district, Naveen hit out at the Congress and BJP stating that the opposition parties have failed to give a stable and secular government to people.
He said the communal politics unleashed by BJP and the corruption-ridden UPA Government are weakening the country and step-motherly attitude of the Centre towards the State Government was creating disharmony in federal structure.
Thanking people for reposing confidence in the BJD, he said the ULB poll result indicated that people have shunned both the BJP and the Congress. He also highlighted the successful handling of pre and post Phailin situation by the State Government.
Maintaining that there have been revolutionary changes in social security and irrigation during the tenure of the BJD Government, Naveen said his government has also provided new opportunities for the youths through Youth Policy.
Earlier, the Chief Minister flew to Melchamunda and kickstarted the golden jubilee celebration of Melchamunda High School.
He was accompanied by Revenue Minister SN Patro and joined by Padampur BJD MLA Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha at Melchamunda, Bhatli BJD MLA Sushant Singh at Haldipali while Sonepur MLA Niranjan Pujari was present at Bheden.