Farmer issues take centrestage as BJD, BJP eye Odisha’s rural polls

Farmers’ issues took the centre stage with the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the point of face Odisha’s Panchayat elections anticipated to be scheduled in 2022.

While releasing COVID-19 help of ₹386 crore for landless farmers underneath the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme right here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik introduced that his authorities would proceed to assist landless farmers until the suggestions of M.S. Swaminathan Committee had been carried out.

According to an announcement issued by Chief Minister’s Office, landless farmers have been supplied ₹1,000 along with the standard help underneath the KALIA scheme, which is able to profit 18 lakh landless farming households.

Terming agricultural labourers as the nucleus of the economic system, Mr. Patnaik stated his authorities recognised the sacrifice of landless farmers in enriching the economic system.

“We have continued our fight for the protection of the rights of landless farmers. I have always demanded implementation of the recommendations of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee. Till recommendations are not implemented, the party [BJD] will support landless farmers,” he stated.

The State BJP criticised the Naveen Patnaik authorities for not making the complete checklist of KALIA beneficiaries public, regardless of repeated calls for by it [the BJP].

“When and how did the State government identify 18 lakh landless farmers? There has been no basis for the identification of landless farmers. The government released a huge amount of funds to please BJD cadres on the ground,” stated Golaka Mohapatra, BJP spokesperson.

The State BJP on Thursday staged an agitation in entrance of all market yards, protesting towards non-procurement of paddy.

“Thousands of paddy packets have been lying unsold in market yards across the State. The token issued to farmers for selling their agricultural produce have lapsed because of which farmers are unable to sell their paddy. Though the government had assured it would procure all paddy by June 30, this has not happened,” alleged State BJP president Sameer Mohanty.

The State BJP will proceed to stage demonstrations in entrance of all market yards demanding instant procurement of paddy on July 1 and a couple of, Mr. Mohanty stated. The saffron get together had mentioned the problem of difficulties in procurement of paddy in nice element at its lately concluded State government physique assembly.

Senior BJD chief Pramilla Mallick stated the BJP was deceptive individuals as it’s the Central authorities that may lengthen final date of paddy procurement. “The State BJP leaders don’t have the guts to raise the issue with the Central leadership and push them to take action,” stated Ms Mallick.

The BJD lately appointed six senior get together leaders as observers to supervise the get together’s organisational affairs in 30 districts.

Ahead of the Panchayat elections, the regional get together had lately revamped its girls’s wing, appointing Snehangini Chhuria as its president. There are to be three working presidents and one secretary normal to guide the BJD’s girls’s wing.