Odisha

BJD Plans Massive Protest Across Odisha Over Paddy Procurement, PMGKAY From Tomorrow

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is planning a massive protest across Odisha from February 14 to 16 to oppose the Centre’s decision to stop the PMGKAY free food programme and reduction of Rs 20,000 crore in paddy procurement in the recent budget.

Addressing a presser, BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo said that the cut in the budget will severely affect farmers, especially in western Odisha. “The Centre earlier procured 18 lakh MT rice from the state and it has now been reduced to 4 lakh MT when Bargarh district alone produces 4 lakh MT paddy in the state. The future of farmers in the rest 29 districts will be at stake due this decision,” he said.

Sahoo further said the paddy procurement will drastically go down and the farmers will be deprived of getting the MSP because of the decision to stop Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

Notably, the Centre decided to discontinue the PMGKAY as the economic situation had improved since COVID-19 cases and restrictions had eased. With additional 5kg free rice per person being stopped under PMGKAY, it decided to provide free rations under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) over the next year in a move to couch the poor from the effects of the scheme, which ended on December 31, 2022. “We are opposing the closure of PMGKAY as it affects 3.25 crore population as well as lakhs of farmers in Odisha,” he said.

To protect the interest of lakhs of farmers, the BJD will stage a protest in front of the Raj Bhawan on February 14 morning demanding all food grains be procured from Odisha, the BJD legislator said, adding that a delegation will meet Governor Ganeshi Lal and submit a memorandum, addressed to the central government, pressing for their demands.

The following day, mass protests will be staged by the party at each Gram Panchayat headquarters in all 30 districts. On February 16, the BJD protestors will demonstrate in each collectorate and block office.

A memorandum will be submitted to the President opposing the reduced allocation for paddy procurement and demanding the continuation of PMGKAY.

“If the demand is not met within 15 days, the party will stage protest across the state against Central negligence towards farmers of the state,” he added.

 

 

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

IPL Auction: KKR Break Bank For Venkatesh On Lucrative Day For Indian Players; Check Top Buys

Mumbai: The first day of the IPL mega player auction at Jeddah threw up several…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024

Odisha DGP Reviews Security Arrangements For President’s Visit To Puri

Puri: Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday reviewed the security arrangements for…

November 24, 2024