Opposition BJP on Friday staged a walkout in the state assembly protesting against delay in payment of surplus amount to the farmers who had sold paddy to the government in the old minimum-support-price rate.
The minimum support price (MSP) for paddy was hiked to Rs 2500 per quintal by the Congress government after assuming power in the state early this year.
But the farmers who had sold paddy in between November 1, 2018 to January 21, 2019 were paid as per the old MSP, despite they being entitled for the new rate.
During question hours, leader of the opposition Dharamlal Kaushik wanted to know from the minister, how many farmers received the balance amount.
Replying to the query, the minister for Cooperatives Premsai Singh informed the House that during the period under question, paddy from a total of 15 Lakh 71 thousand farmers was procured. Of them, payment of 1 lakh 80 thousand farmers was pending, he informed.
When Kaushik demanded specific time limit for the payment, the minister said they would pay the balance amount as soon as possible but a time limit could not be specified.
Demanding explanation about the delay in nonpayment of balance payment, BJP member Shivratan Sharma asked whether there was shortage of fund. Meanwhile, dissatisfied with the answer of the minister, the BJP members later walked out from the assembly.