The Biju Krushak Janata Dal (BKJD) will hold a massive demonstration in front of the Parliament in New Delhi on January 8 to press for increasing minimum support price (MSP) of paddy to Rs 2,930 per quintal and early framing of national policy to help out farmers for their socioeconomic growth.
“BJD MPs, MLAS, all ZP Presidents, BKJD and BJD district presidents, functionaries of all other wings of the party and famer representatives from across the State will board a special train here on January 6 to go to New Delhi. A massive demonstration will be staged in front of the Parliament on January 8,” said BKJD president and Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya at a Press meet here on Monday.
He severely criticised the Narendra Modi Government, saying it has failed in keeping its promises of implementing Swaminathan Committee recommendations for farmers. “Four and a half year has already passed, the Government is yet to increase paddy MSP to one and a half time of cost of production. Farmers are suffering a lot as they are not getting right prices,” he said.
Stating that farmers problems have become a national issue, he also stated that the BKJD would place a demand seeking framing of a national policy by the Union Government to provide support to farmers for their socioeconomic growth.
He claimed that the BJD Government has taken many steps for growth of farmers and agriculture sector. “We have adopted a special Agriculture Budget and a special Agriculture Cabinet to provide support to famers. Agriculture production has increased over the years for which both the UPA and the present NDA Government have conferred Krushi Karman award four times to Odisha four times during the last five years,” he claimed and said the BJD would continue to fight till farmers have not received right MSP from the centre.
Among others, BKJD general secretary Pratap Jena, Sanjay Dasburma, Debi Prasad Mishra, MP Balabhadra Majhi and BJD spokesperson Dr Sasmit Patro were present.