Bhubaneswar, December 30: Senior BJD leader Prasanna Acharya criticized the Odisha government for the "collapse" of the paddy procurement system, which he said has led to distress sales by farmers.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Acharya claimed that although the procurement season has begun, many market yards are still closed, and the administration is unprepared to purchase paddy from registered farmers.

He alleged that farmers are unable to sell their paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), with input subsidies failing to reach them in many areas. Comparing procurement figures, Acharya pointed out that while 41% of registered farmers in Chhattisgarh have sold their paddy, only 8% of farmers in Odisha have done so, highlighting the crisis in the state.

Acharya also criticized the government's handling of the issue, accusing them of indifference to the plight of farmers. He vowed that the BJD, alongside farmers, would take to the streets to demand action. Despite procurement starting in 13 districts, Acharya claimed the process was failing, citing the state's low procurement target of 73 lakh metric tons, compared to Chhattisgarh's 80 lakh metric tons.

He further accused the government of focusing on a minimal Rs 800 subsidy per quintal of paddy while neglecting the larger issues facing farmers.