BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), on Friday, organised demonstrations and rallies infront of all the block of the State demanding farm loan waiver and hike in the minimum support price (MSP) on paddy.
OPCC president Prasad Harichandan, who participated in the demonstration by party workers at Satyabadi block in Puri district, alleged that both Narendra Modi Government at the Centre and the BJD Government here are responsible for the plight of farmers.
Criticising the Centre for the paltry hike in the MSP on paddy by only `80 per quintal, Harichandan alleged that crop loss, loan burden and distress sale are resulting in farmers’ suicide. He alleged that farmers affected by natural calamities are yet to get compensation.
Harichandan said though the Modi government has waived `1.14 lakh crore loan of big industrial houses, it has rejected loan waiver demand by the farmers. He criticised the State for ignoring the demand for farm loan waiver even though many State governments, including Karnataka have done so. The UPA Government had also waived loan of four crore farmers amounting to `72,680 crore, he said.
The Bhubaneswar District Congress Committee also staged demonstration in front of the block office here in support of the demand of the farmers. A memorandum containing the demands and addressed to the Governor was submitted to BDOs at all the blocks. Harichandan thanked all leaders, office-bearers and workers of the party for making the programme a success.