BJD urges Centre to procure all surplus paddy from Odisha, ensure MSP
BJD urges Centre to procure all surplus paddy from Odisha, ensure MSP
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Bargarh: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has condemned the Union Budget's drastic reduction in paddy procurement allocation and urged the Centre to increase MSP to ensure financial security for Odisha farmers.
Former minister and BJD senior vice-president Prasanna Acharya told reporters in Bargarh on Tuesday that the Centre cut Rs 20,000 crore from paddy procurement in this year's budget. This will not only reduce paddy procurement but will also deprive farmers of the minimum support price (MSP).
"Considering the demand of the Odisha farmers, the Odisha Assembly unanimously approved the proposal to increase the MSP of paddy to Rs 2,930 per quintal," he said, adding that the reduced allocation would have a significant impact on farmers in Western Odisha. However, it will be rejected by the Centre once more, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers."
According to the BJD leader, the Centre has also reduced Odisha's foodgrain procurement target. He added that the Centre has reduced the Food Corporation of India's (FCI) annual rice procurement from Odisha by 80%, from 18 lakh tonne rice to only 4 lakh tonne for 2022-23.
He asked, "What will happen to the rest 29 districts of Odisha?" after stating that Bargarh district alone produces 4 lakh tonne of rice. Where will those districts' farmers sell their paddy? The Centre is completely silent on the subject."
Coming down on five BJP MPs from Western Odisha for not raising their voice on the issue, Acharya said, "They were elected by the people of western Odisha in 2019 but they have never said one word in favour of the farmers of the region for paddy procurement. How will they respond to voters in 2024? Why do Odisha's Central Ministers remain silent and fail to speak out in the farmers' interests?"
"We demand that every single surplus food-grain must be lifted from Odisha through paddy procurement by the Centre in the interests of farmers, mainly of Western Odisha. They must not lose their MSP at any cost," he added.
