BJD calls for paddy MSP hike

Bhubaneswar: Members of BJD’s farmer cell held a protest meeting before Raj Bhawan here on Friday, demanding enhancement in minimum support price (MSP) of paddy.
“The NDA government mocked at farmers of the state by increasing the MSP per quintal of paddy by mere Rs 80. We will intensify our fight against this injustice, if the Centre fails to initiate immediate steps to hike paddy MSP to Rs 2, 930 per quintal within the next seven days,” said Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Ministe minister Ramesh Majhi.
MP Prasanna Patasani, who also took part in the protest, said, “The state assembly had earlier unanimously passed a resolution demanding a hike in paddy MSP to Rs 2,930 per quintal. The House Committee chaired by the speaker had also sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to present their demand for consideration. But it is regretful that the House Committee has not been able to meet the PM.”
Later, party leaders, including Sanjay Das Burma and Debi Prasad Mishra, submitted a memorandum to President through the Governor, seeking immediate intervention in the matter.