BHUBANESWAR: BJD president and leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday came down heavily on the BJP government for the large-scale mismanagement in paddy procurement across the state.
Addressing the Chasi Suraksha Rally organised by his party at Lower PMG Square here, the BJD chief accused the government of betraying farmers. “They raise the slogan of ‘Jai Kisan’, but in practice it has become ‘Bhago Kisan’,” he said. A government, he said, shows its performance on the basis of work, not stories.
Stating that people want service and not sermons, Naveen warned that if the problems of farmers are not resolved, the BJD will shake this government out of its deep slumber. “This government will complete two years soon, but it is neither able to take proper decisions nor implement them. During the elections, they made tall claims and big promises. But, they have failed to deliver,” he alleged.
The former chief minister said his government had introduced a separate budget for farmers and launched the KALIA scheme for benefit of farmers. It had provided loan and irrigation facilities to the farmers. “What has this double engine government done? Farmers are not even getting fertilisers,” he said.
Alleging irregularities in paddy procurement, he said katni-chhatni was on the rise and payments were not being made on time. Naveen said he had written to a letter to the government regarding farmers’ issues and requested it to fulfil election promises.
“I had requested the government to form a special squad to stop katni-chhatni, break the nexus between millers and government officials, remove the 150 quintal ceiling from input subsidy, ensure payment to farmers within 48 hours and procure paddy within 72 hours. It is unfortunate that nothing has been done,” he said. The LoP said for the last eight days, BJD has been fighting in the Assembly for farmers. He also launched a sharp attack on the government over law and order issues.
Meanwhile, noisy scenes continued in the Assembly over the issue. While BJD members staged a walkout from the House, Congress members created ruckus by shouting slogans in the well. Later, they staged a demonstration by showing placards near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises.