The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress members on Wednesday were locked in a lengthy heated debate over the Rs 2,100 per quintal minimum support price for paddy promised by the BJP Government in its Assembly poll manifesto.
Congress State chief and party MlA Bhupesh Baghel stated in the House that it was known by all that the support price for paddy is fixed by the Centre. The Congress party stated during polls that it would offer Rs 2000 per quintal as support price for paddy. The BJP on the other hand stated that it would pay Rs 2,100 per quintal as support price and an additional Rs 300 per quintal as bonus for paddy purchased, he said.
"First, the people were deceived by the ruling party in the name of giving Rs 270 per quintal as bonus. Now we will fight for the promises not being fulfilled by the ruling party," Baghel said. To this, BJP member Ajay Chandrakar stated: 'The Union Minister of State is from Chhattisgarh. He can get the support price of Rs 2,100 per quintal approved from the Centre."
Reacting, the Congress member remarked: "As soon as they (BJP) came to power they wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. It is like we had promised and you fulfil it. You (Government) needs to fulfil its promise."