BJP and BJD clash over paddy procurement in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Dec 24 (UNI) The BJP government and opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) are locked in a bitter dispute over the paddy procurement process in Odisha during the current Kharif season.
The state government stated on Wednesday that paddy procurement is actively underway in several districts, including Bargarh, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Balangir, Sundargarh, Boudh, Ganjam, Koraput, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, and Subarnapur.
So far, 4,97,494 metric tons of paddy have been procured from 1,11,128 farmers. About Rs 807 crore has been credited to farmers’ accounts as Minimum Support Price (MSP), along with Rs 249 crore provided as input assistance.
Procurement in other districts will follow in phases, with extensive preparations underway. Registered farmers are being informed in advance and given tokens.
Nodal officers at each mandi are closely monitoring the process to ensure efficiency.
The government emphasised that MSP and input assistance payments are being prioritised, with officials working around the clock to credit amounts within 48 hours.
Complaints are being addressed promptly by the Food Supplies Department.
However, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mahanti accused Supply Minister Krushnachandra Patra of providing false information and misleading farmers.
He said only 58,260 farmers have supplied 2,65,906 metric tons of paddy, and that many mandis remain closed, exposing flaws in the state’s procurement system and alleging anti-farmer policies
