JEYPORE: Odisha government has not been paying proper minimum support price (MSP) to farmers of the state since the last 25 years owing to which they are opting for distress sale, said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday.
Addressing an election meeting in Laxmipur of Koraput district on the day, Sai said while the BJP government in Chhattisgarh is paying MSP of Rs 3,100 per quintal to farmers, the Odisha government is giving them just Rs 2,100 per quintal. As a result, farmers in Odisha are forced to opt for distress sale, he said.
Exuding confidence that the Modi-led BJP government will come to power in the state, Sai said, ”We will ensure Rs 3,100 MSP to farmers, financial support to the poor and weaker sections of the society and empowerment of women if BJP comes to power in Odisha.” He said there is a strong wave of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi even in tribal-dominated Koraput district and asserted people will vote in favour of the party’s candidates.
“BJD and the Congress, instead of improving the socio-economic condition of tribals, have been using them as their vote bank for the last 25 years. If they were really serious about development of tribals, why are the latter forced to go outside the state for jobs?” Sai questioned.
He said he received good response from people of Odisha during election campaigning in different areas and it signals that they will vote for BJP candidates this time. The Chhattisgarh chief minister further highlighted the development initiatives the BJP-led central government has undertaken in the state in the last 10 years for farmers, women and youth. On the occasion, Sai appealed people of Laxmipur constituency to vote in favour of Koraput Lok Sabha candidate Kaliram Majhi and Laxmipur Assembly constituency candidate Kailash Kulesika. Among others, Koraput BJP unit president Sumant Pradhan and Laxmipur AC observer Debendra Panigrahi were present.