The State Assembly on Monday witnessed repeated adjournments due to ruckus created by Congress members over the dismal sale of potato across the State. The issue was raised first by ruling BJD MlA Ranendra Pratap Swain saying farmers who had undertaken potato farming after being assured of marketing support by the Government are now facing distress sale and thousands of tonnes of potato are rotting.
“Farmers have been forced to sell potato at between Rs 4.50 and Rs 5 a kg as marketing agencies like Markfed and Nafed are not purchasing from them. Resultantly, thousands of tonnes of potato have started rotting due to high temperature,” Swain said. Stating that 29,000 tonnes of potato was targeted to be procured, Swain said around only 200 tonnes of potato has been procured. He urged the Speaker to give a direction to the Government to protect the farmers.
He was soon supported by Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati, who demanded steps to prevent distress sale. He too stated that ginger and turmeric farmers have faced such a situation in Balangir, Koraput, Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. Mahesh Sahoo (BJD) too came in support and urged the Speaker to direct Cooperation, Agriculture and Food Supplies Departments to act together to purchase potato.
leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said as members from both ruling and opposition parties have raised the issue, the Government should make a statement in the House in this regard. He demanded a ruling from the Speaker. Soon, Congress members rushed into the Well of the House demanding a ruling from the Chair. The Deputy Speaker adjourned the House from 12.04 pm to 12.50 pm.
When the House reassembled at 12.50, the Speaker said he would hold a meeting of Ministers and all parties’ representatives to sort out the issue and urged the Congress members to cooperate, but in vain. The Speaker then adjourned the House till 3 pm.