Alleging apathy and noncooperation of the Union Government in paddy procurement, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday announced that it would hold protests before the Food Corporation of India (FCI) offices and godowns on July 20.
Party leaders Snehangini Chhuria and Srimayee Mishra told reporters that while 3.83 lakh new farmers, a growth of 38%, in the State are included in the paddy procurement process, the growth in the procurement is 18%. But the BJP is shedding crocodile tears for farmers by accusing the State Government of a mess in the procurement.
“When the paddy procurement is the primary responsibility of the Union Government, the BJP is shying away in taking responsibility for it. Since 2003-04, the State Government has taken the task of paddy procurements in all 30 districts,” said Chhuria, a former Minister.
Raising four issues pertaining the paddy procurement, the BJD leaders demanded that the Union Government immediately sanction the due amount of food subsidy allotted to Odisha, lift left-out 7 lakh MT of rice, extend the cutoff date for Kharif paddy procurement up to September 30.