BJD Criticizes Odisha Government Over Paddy Procurement Issues
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) launched sharp criticism against the Odisha government on Tuesday. The party alleges severe distress among farmers due to what it calls gross mismanagement in paddy procurement processes.
Procurement Centers Remain Closed in Multiple Districts
BJD vice-president Sanjay Dasburma stated that procurement centers continue to stay shut in several key districts. He specifically mentioned Puri, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Jajpur, and Kandhamal. This situation persists despite earlier assurances from the chief minister and chief secretary to open mandis by January 10.
Dasburma presented concerning statistics to support his claims. Out of 19.66 lakh registered farmers in the state, only 3.40 lakh have managed to sell their paddy so far. The state government set a procurement target of 73 lakh metric tonnes for the current season. However, only 17.85 lakh metric tonnes have been procured to date.
Comparisons with Neighboring States
The BJD leader drew comparisons with neighboring states to highlight Odisha's underperformance. He pointed out that Chhattisgarh has already crossed 97 lakh metric tonnes against its target of 80 lakh metric tonnes. This comparison aims to show what the party considers better management in other regions.
Another point of contention involves the procurement price. The BJD criticized the government for fixing the price at Rs 3,100 per quintal. The party argues this should be Rs 3,169 per quintal according to the revised Minimum Support Price (MSP).
BJP Responds to Allegations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) firmly rejected all allegations made by the BJD. BJP spokesperson Sujit Kumar Das acknowledged temporary delays in some districts. He attributed these delays to logistical challenges that the government is actively addressing.
Das emphasized that all mandis will become operational soon. He reiterated the government's commitment to farmers' interests, stating they remain the top priority. The BJP spokesperson defended the administration's efforts to ensure smooth procurement processes across the state.
Political Tensions Escalate
Sanjay Dasburma made strong political statements during his criticism. He accused the BJP of making false promises to farmers during elections purely to secure votes. The BJD leader described the current situation as alarming and unprecedented in recent memory.
Dasburma issued a clear warning about potential statewide agitations. He stated that such protests would occur if the government fails to take appropriate action to resolve the procurement issues. This threat indicates escalating political tensions over agricultural policies in Odisha.
The exchange between the two major political parties highlights ongoing concerns about agricultural procurement systems. Farmers continue to wait for resolution as both sides present conflicting narratives about the situation on the ground.
