By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Leader of Opposition and Ex Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi regarding paddy precurement.
Harassment of farmers in the market and not fulfilling the election promises regarding paddy collection is the ultimate failure of Odisha BJP government, Patnaik said.
He said during the ongoing harvest of kharif paddy, the food providers of our state are facing difficulties due to systematic exploitation, administrative apathy and failure to fulfill election promises. By writing a letter with grief, I have drawn the attention of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi Mohan Charan Majhi
During the 2024 election, our farmer brothers and sisters were assured of the increase in the support price of paddy and the complete closure of katni-chutney in the BJP’s election manifesto. But the reality is, the markets in the state have now become the hubs of persecution for farmers, Patnaik said.
Despite your government’s promise to collect paddy from the feeders without any hassle, it is a matter of regret to cut 5 to 7 kg per quintal from them in various brands like humidity and low quality paddy. In many districts such exploitation has caused headache for farmers.
Honeymoon between Miller and local officials is putting farmers not paying off their hard work. Isn’t this an example of false promises given by BJP during election? When will this Katni-Chatni stop? When will your government fulfill its election promises? When will the farmer get justice according to the election manifesto?
Similarly BJP government announced to give input subsidy of Rs 800 per quintal to all the farmer brothers and sisters of the state. But in the near future, your government has broken the promise to impose a maximum of 150 quintals per farmer for this subsidy. This ceiling is a punishment for the farmers who produce more and it is against the BJP pledge.
Why is the government backing down from the announcement of giving Rs. 3100 input subsidy to farmers on their entire production? It can be noted here that, recently the Indian government has increased the collection price of paddy by Rs. 69 Isn’t it a deception not to give this increased 69 rupees to the farmers of Odisha?
It is with regret to inform that the collection process in the paddy markets is surprisingly slow. So farmers have to stay awake all night to protect paddy from dew and theft. Problems such as lack of minimum facilities in markets, failure in token arrangements and excessive delays in delivery are forcing farmers to choose aggressive routes.
Point two of BJP’s election manifesto had been asked to give it through DBT within 48 hours, but in most cases it takes more than a week for farmers to get their rights. Isn’t this BJP’s failure in keeping its election promises?
Katni-Chatni, 150 quintal ceiling and delay in grain collection and delivery has created an unusual situation. For which farmers are being exploited by dishonest businessmen and millers. The farmer is forced to repay his debt to sell paddy at a much lower than the minimum supporting price.
Farmers of Odisha do not want anyone’s mercy. They want their rights as per BJP’s election promise. Agriculture is the food of Odisha’s life. Our food providers are always respected.
Chief Minister should immediately pay attention to the following issues for the sake of the farmers’ interests:
. Special squad should be deployed in the markets immediately to curb Katni-Chutni and exemplary action should be taken against the culprit mill owners and government officials.
୨. Maximum of 150 quintals per farmer placed for input subsidy payment should be immediately withdrawn and all grains should be purchased from all the listed farmers.
3. As per BJP’s election promise, all farmers should be given what they deserve directly in their bank account within 48 hours of collecting paddy.
୪. Within 72 hours, all the grains of the farmers lying in the open markets should be lifted hundred percent.
The failure of the government to resolve the complaints of farmers is intensifying the farmers’ agitation across the state. I hope your Government will take priority steps to solve the aforementioned problems and fulfill its promises to farmers during election, he added.
