With the State heading for panchayat elections in February next year, the ruling BJD and opposition Congress and BJP vied with each other in celebrating the Akshaya Tritiya on Monday to woo the farmers’ community. They went unsparing in targeting each other for the growing farming distress in the State.
The parties made separate arrangements to celebrate the Akshaya Tirtiya, the beginning of the agricultural activities ahead of monsoon, in different locations to draw the attention of the farmers.
BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched ‘Direct Benefit Transfer’ (DBT) scheme at the State level Krushak Divas programme marking the occasion and highlighted his Government’s efforts for the welfare of the farmers.
As per tradition, the Chief Minister sowed seeds at laxminarayanpur in Pipili in Puri district.
“The State Government has given priority to agriculture development, farmers’ welfare and irrigation. For this a special Agriculture Budget has been introduced,” said Patnaik, hoping that the famers will not face any difficulties this year as the Met Department has forecast adequate rainfall during the monsoon time.
With this DBT scheme, the famers would get themselves registered online to purchase seed and get the subsidy amount in their bank accounts directly, sources said.
The BJP State unit too brought Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh to an event to mark Akshaya Tritiya in Kandarpur in Cuttack district.
The development was being seen as the BJP-led Central Government’s move to hijack the BJD-led State Government’s celebration of Akshaya Tritiya. Notably, the Patnaik Government has been observing the fest with much fanfare over last many years to woo the farmers. Apart from Singh, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and State BJP president Basanta Panda attended the event.
Singh sowed some seeds and discussed with the farmers about their problems.
Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy, targeting the Oil Minister, alleged that Pradhan was trying to ape Chief Minister Patnaik.
“Only oil money is being used to celebrate the function by the BJP. Will thousands of (Chunchi) needles become a SabalaIJ They have done nothing for farmers and are doing only drama,” said Maharathy.
Responding to the allegations, Pradahn said they (BJD) have the habit of saying all projects, even Rath Yatra, as their initiative.
Meanwhile, PCC president Prasad Harichandan, while celebrating the agrarian festival at Budhipada in Balianta block, hit out at both the BJD and the BJP for the prevailing poor status of farmers.
“They have good nexus. As a result, farmers end up in suffering only. Nobody cares for them,” complained Harichandan.