Bhubaneswar, January 13: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has accused the Odisha Government of betraying farmers by failing to ensure smooth paddy procurement during the kharif season.
Addressing the media, senior BJD leaders Sanjay Dasburma, Lenin Mohanty, and Priyabrata Majhi alleged that despite election-time assurances, the government did not open mandis on time, worsening the plight of the state’s largely agriculture-dependent population.
The party claimed that out of 19.66 lakh registered farmers, only 3.40 lakh have been able to sell their paddy so far. It also criticised the government for not opening mandis in eight districts despite assurances from top officials.
While Odisha set a procurement target of 73 lakh MT, only 17.85 lakh MT has been achieved so far. In contrast, neighbouring Chhattisgarh has surpassed its target. The BJD further alleged betrayal in limiting procurement to 150 quintals per farmer and paying Rs 3,100 per quintal instead of the MSP-adjusted Rs 3,169.
another betrayal of the farming community.
