Cooperation Minister Surjya Narayan Patro on Friday dared the Opposition to prove their allegation that paddy is being procured at prices below the stipulated minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,750 per quintal in mandis across the State and said that he would quit politics if the allegation is true.
Patro made the statement at a Press conference here where he rubbished the allegations levelled by the BJP and other Opposition parties that paddy is being sold at prices lower than the MSP.
The Minister said the Opposition parties are levelling allegations without having substantial proof.
"Around 21.61 lakh metric tonne (MT) of paddy procured during the Kharif season is nearly 18 per cent more compared to year 2018's total procurement and 12.6 lakh farmers have registered themselves to participate in paddy procurement this year," the Minister claimed.
He further said that in comparison to last year's Kharif season, nearly 2,22,000 new farmers registered this year over and above last year's total of 11,20,000 farmers. The number of mandis has increased to 3,013 from last year's 2,929.
In reaction to Patro's statement, BJP State vice-president Samir Mohanty said, "We have the proof that paddy is being procured at lower prices. Surjya Narayan Patro should stop rubbing salt on the wounds of farmers."