BHUBANESWAR: The BJD, on Monday, intensified agitation demanding hike in minimum support price (MSP) on paddy by staging demonstrations across the State. The ruling party will continue its two-hour dharnas in front of the block offices till July 18 to protest the meagre hike in MSP on paddy from `1470 to `1550 per quintal.
Stating that the BJP-led Central Government has made a mockery of farmers’ plight by increasing the rate of MSP on paddy by only `80 per quintal, Rajya Sabha MP and BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said, the increase in MSP on paddy speaks much about the intention of Centre in dealing with farmers’ problems. The Modi Government has betrayed the farmers, he said.
Deb said, the BJP had promised in its election manifesto to increase the MSP on paddy by one and a half time of the production cost based on the recommendations of Swaminathan Committee. But, Modi Government forgot to fulfil the promise after coming to power, he said.
The Odisha Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution seeking a hike in MSP on paddy to `2,930 per quintal. An Assembly Committee, headed by Speaker Niranjan Pujari, was constituted to meet the Prime Minister and apprise him of the issue. Though the committee had sought appointment from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), there is no response so far to the request.