Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Joins BJD Protest in Delhi; Demands Hike in Paddy MSP

Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has joined his colleagues and a number of farmers from the state participating in a rally at New Delhi’s Talkatora stadium on 8th January.

Odisha has urged the Central Government to increase the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy from Rs 1750/quintal to Rs 2930 /quintal in the current Kharif season.

Repeating his idea for financial autonomy for the states, Patnaik said, “If we had financial autonomy, farmers need not have come to New Delhi. We would have paid for the rights of farmers from our own funds.”

To recall, a resolution seeking a hike in MSP has already been passed in the Odisha Assembly, where Patnaik’s party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) enjoys a huge and comfortable majority. Farmers in Odisha were forced to bring their protests to the national capital, “in this freeing cold because the central government declined to act on Odisha’s request,” the CM said while addressing the gathering yesterday.

He further said, “Should we forget the promises made during the elections? Never! under any circumstances. BJP government has forgotten the promises made to the farmers after coming to power. It is the central government’s responsibility to fix the MSP for food grains. It is their duty to implement MS Swaminathan Committee’s Report”.

Highlight his government’s Rs 10,000 scheme for state farmers - Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA), Patnaik claimed it will benefit 92% of farmers in Odisha, including the sharecroppers and landless poor.