Bhubaneswar: Opposition Congress and BJP Saturday attacked the government over issues faced by farmers leading to a hot debate for over four hours in the floor.
Opposition Congress had moved an adjournment motion on farmers which was accepted by the Speaker. As soon the house reassembled at 12, a debate on farmers’ issue started. Issues like alleged scam in paddy procurement, quelling of farmers’ protests, hike in minimum support price, pension to farmers were discussed during the debate.
Opposition members slammed the government for its negligence to farmers while agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy elaborated on what the government did for farmers. The Opposition, however, did not accept the statement of Maharathy and stalled the proceedings of the house forcing the Speaker to adjourn it till 5.37 pm.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra told media, “The state government has no answers to today’s adjournment motion. That’s why we repeatedly demanded that the minister answer to our questions instead of delivering a speech.”
Stating that the agriculture minister had no data or figures to give a satisfactory answer, Mishra said, “As the minister tried to avoid answering, the house was eventually adjourned.”
Mishra stated that rampant corruption occurs in purchase of paddy by the government. As per the charges, instead of farmers, middlemen carried paddy sacks to rice mills some of which even did not have registration numbers.
“Paddy is carried to millers from societies in two-wheelers and other vehicles having no registration numbers. This clearly exposes misappropriation of crores of rupees and government is involved in it,” he alleged.
On the MSP issue, the Congress MLA said, “We want that the state government stage protests against the Centre on the issue. The Chief Minister should lead the house to Delhi and let’s see how the Centre is unable to budge to our demand.”
Naba Das from Congress slammed both the Centre and the state government for not hiking the MSP. Opposition chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati termed the state government as anti-farmer and demanded Rs 500 bonus per quintal of paddy.
BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit said the Centre has hiked the paddy MSP by Rs 200 per quintal. “But, farmers sell paddy at Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200 per quintal. Mandis also procure paddy by slashing 4-5 kg for every quintal,” he said.
Stating that the BJD government is concerned about millers only, the BJP legislator said, “During the reign of this government, farmers do not get their price, prestige and pension. They are forced to commit suicide.”
Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy rejected the allegations, saying, “We have never dishonoured farmers. Since I’m also a farmer, I’ll protect their dignity till the last drop of my blood.”
About 23,4,000 persons above 60 get old age pension, he said, adding, “For pension to farmers, an inter-ministerial committee has been formed. Very soon there will be a meeting and its decision will be intimated to the media.”
PNN