BHUBANESWAR: Congress has decided to corner the State Government in the Assembly over its failure to take steps to check suicide of farmers and several other issues, including the rising number of crimes against women.The issues were discussed at the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) presided over by Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra. Sources said there will be a stormy start to the session as the Congress members are likely to raise the anti-farmers policies of both the Centre and the State Government.
Mishra criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not giving appointment to the House Committee led by Speaker Pradip Amat to discuss farmers’ issues with him and alleged that Modi is afraid to meet the committee as he has failed to keep promise to increase the MSP.Mishra said suicide by farmers can be effectively checked if the MSP on paddy is raised to `2,930 per quintal from `1,550. He also criticised the State Government for neglecting the farmers.
Though the farmers spend `35,000 per acre for paddy cultivation, the State Government has announcement compensation of only `2,000 per acre for crop loss due to pest attack and unseasonal rains, he added.
The CLP also decided to raise the issue of deteriorating law and order situation in the State and growing crime against women. Mishra said the Mahanadi river water dispute with Chhattisgarh, growing unemployment in the state, lack of health infrastructure in tribal areas of the State and several other issues will be raised by the Congress.