People disappointed with BJD to opt for BJP ultimately
Pratap Chandra Sarangi is the Union Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He is a member of the BJP national executive committee. He had been elected to the Odisha Assembly in 2004 and was reelected from the same Nilgiri constituency in 2009. A politician with a difference, Sarangi fulfils the idea of Plato’s philosopher king. He has the honesty of Lal Bahadur Sastri, the simplicity of Mahatma Gandhi, the courage and conviction of Sardar Vallavbhai Patel. His strength lies in his philosophy that honesty is the best policy. His only ancestral thatched house against the backdrop of the Nilgiri Hills at his village bears ample testimony to his principles of honesty. A patriot to his boots, an erudite scholar, his first speech in Parliament hugged limelight throughout the nation. He wears his heart on his sleeves. He shuns all hypocrisies and humbugs. In an interview to The Pioneer, he spoke to Sugyan Choudhury on the prevailing political scenario in the State and the country.
What are the plans on your agenda to place Odisha at the top in the national MSME scenario?
MSME is the biggest employment-generation sector after agriculture. In Odisha, we are having enough natural resources, tribal industries, rural industries; and we can take MSME to its height to generate enough employment. Odisha people have a genetic aptitude, artistic talent and they believe in work culture, but it is a fact that they don’t get access to international market. During Covid-19, e-market is the only available option.
That’s why we have opened many portals for e-marketing and signed MoUs. We have released many clusters that will generate a viable eco-system. We have started many clusters in Odisha; some are approved, some are in the pipeline.
Through the cluster system, there will be enough growth of MSME. For example, bamboos are nature’s plenty in Odisha; hence, bamboo clusters are approved. Honey clusters are taken up in Mayurbhanj and Baleswar districts. The Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Yojana is also a gigantic MSME programme to benefit the potter community. Textile is also another sector under the MSME ambit. Waste management is yet another field, for which we are creating many units.
Besides, our universities like FM, Sri Sri and OUAT are taking up MSME projects based on cows, agricultural subjects, food processing, herbal product processing, through which we can provide employment. Many training programmes are undertaken to make youths skilled and develop the skills of migrant labourers. Many IT engineers are taking initiatives under MSME projects like on cows and panchagabya.
This cow-based economy is an example we have painted through distempers made out of cow dung and cow urine. We approve clusters wherein nearly 2,000 people like migrant labourers or unemployed youths are enlisted. We are facilitating such entrepreneurs and providing them technical guidance and empowering them with skills.
Are you getting the desired support from the State Government?
Our Central Government is very much interested to work in tandem with the State Government. However, at the local level, if there remains any gap we are trying to bridge the same.
How far the Centre’s firm laws to benefit the farmers? But then, why do the farmers go on raging protests?
Farm laws are in the interest of the farmers. There is not a single point which is detrimental to the farmers’ interest. It is a document of independence of farmer after 74 years of the Independents.
If someone produces cars or motorcycles, they can sell it anywhere. Then why should the farmers be confined? This farm law is a charter of independence for farmers. The mandi system is there; it is not going to be abolished. The farmer is given option whether he can sell paddy at the mandi or go to any other place where he can get better price.
I don’t know why these people are fighting on the road. The real character of the agitation has come to the fore after the January 26 incident. This is not interest of the farmers to snatch away the National Flag at the top of Lalkila and to put their own flag. This is indeed an antinational movement. If a Pakistani takes away our flag, what do we say? This is a criminal misconduct having tarnished the image of our nation.
Opposition leaders often allege that there is some kind of tacit understanding between BJP and BJD. What’s your response?
There is no basis of this allegation. Those making this are doing it in their own vested interests. The allegations have no impression on the peoples’ minds. We are seriously opposing BJD. There may be some issue in which we lend our support to the BJD. We are a constructive, responsible as a national party. We are ruthlessly opposing those programmes of BJD which are against the interest of the people of the State.
Who do you think to win a decisive victory in 2024 against the groundswell of popularity of Naveen Patnaik?
One thing I would like to say is some people can be cheated for all time; all people can be cheated for sometime; but you cannot cheat all people for all time. Now Odisha after 22 years of the BJD rule has emerged as a poor State. BPL people have increased; farmers are committing suicide; chit fund firms have looted the State. But there is no remedy.
Our hospitals’ conditions are very poor and our education system is in the doldrums. The BJP State Governments have become very popular. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has echoed the voice of Mahatma Gandhi and the massage of Dindayal Upadhaya that unless the conditions of 6 lakh villages of India are improved for a decent standard of living, then the nation cannot prosper.
This is the concept of Sarvodaya; and Dindayal Upadhaya gave the concept of Antodaya. Our Hon’ble PM has given the call of “Sab-ka-Saath-Sab-ka-Viswash”. PMs Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samruddhi Yojana, Kisan Vikash Yojana, Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Srama Yogi Manadhana Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana”, Surakya Bima Yojana all are meant for the poor of the nation. Our PM has given a clarion call of ‘Atma’ sense of courage and optimism in our youths. He has also envisioned development of the women section.
Hence, all of them are now enamoured to the BJP. With our organisation at the grassroots level, we are gaining momentum among the disenchanted youths. The disappointed people in the BJD rule shall definitely opt for the BJP ultimately. Many revolutionary changes are going to take place. We are optimistic that we are going to have a decisive victory in 2024 in Odisha.