BHUBANESWAR: The BJD on Wednesday invited sharp criticism from Opposition political parties over its proposed farmers’ workshop on April 20 with the Congress and BJP alleging that it is being organised to divert attention from cases of farmer suicide and the Pajero vehicle issue involving Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma.
Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra alleged that without taking steps to stop farm deaths, BJD is busy organising such events. He also criticised the Government for acute shortage of drinking water in many places.
Senior BJP leader Sameer Mohanty criticised BJD for organising a meeting of farmers when heat wave conditions are prevailing in the State.
BJD spokesperson Amar Prasad Satpathy, however, said the workshop is being organised to educate farmers about the schemes run by the Government. “The Opposition must not be scared of our development-oriented programmes,” he said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to inaugurate the workshop for 10,000 farmers from across the State.