BJD launches state-wide stir over paddy MSP

Bhubaneswar: Members of ruling BJD on Monday launched two-hour protest against the Centre’s decision to hike the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy by a meagre Rs 80 per quintal for the financial year 2017-18.
The party workers led by senior leaders staged separate demonstrations at all 314 blocks across the state to reiterate its demand for raising paddy MSP to Rs 2,930 per quintal.

“The BJP-led central Government should keep the promise made in the poll manifesto and initiate immediate steps to increase the MSP of paddy to one and half time of the production at the earliest,” a party member said, adding, “We strongly condemn the Centre’s apathetic attitude
towards the farming community of Odisha. The party workers will continue the protest till July 18 and further intensify the agitation, if the demand is not heeded.”