As 2019 General Election is approaching and Farmers Issue is being sold like Hot Cake, no opposition Party whether it’s Congress or BJP wants to be left behind in appeasing Farmers in Odisha.Knowing the Fact that appeasing the Farmers can only give them a sure shot win.As Farmers votes contribute to a major chunk In Voting Percentage.Taking a cue from MP,Rajasthan and Chattisgarh voting pattern and anti incumbency
A day after the ruling-BJD announced to hold agitation in Delhi next month demanding hike in minimum support price (MSP) for paddy, the Opposition political parties turned the heat on State government with the BJP and Congress announcing to waive off farm loans if they come to power in Odisha during the 2019 elections.Congress went step ahead and announced they will give solar pump to Farmers free of Cost.
However after tuesday BJP State President Basant Panda announced farm loan waive,today BJP Vice President Samir Mohanty seem to evading the question and didnt gave clearanswer.Seems there was clear instruction from Centre BJP not to speak openly about Loan Waive,As the demands of loan waiver may grow up in BJP Ruled states.
Yesterday Speaking at apresser, BJP State unit president Basant Panda said, “If the party getselected, it will waive off agriculture loans in the State, besides making provisions for interest free loans to farmers.
Notably BJD on Monday announced that it would stage a demonstration in front of the Parliament on January 8, demanding a hike in the MSP of paddy.
“The BJP has announced to hold agitation on January 8 the same day when the BJD is going to launch protest.
With the newly formed Congress government of MP and Chhatisgarh deciding to announce waiver of farm loans within ten days, OPCC chief Niranjan Patnaik today said, “The day Congress assumes power, it will announce farm loan waiver.We will also supply Solar Pump to Farmers free of Cost.
While Senior BJD Minister Food Supplies Suryo Narayan Patro passed the Bucks on Modi Government on MSP ,saying Centre government in a letter has clearly Instructed not to Increase MSP.
While Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty skipped the question on farm loan waiver and whether discussion being held as said by Odisha CM Naveen Pattnaik to which Mohanty smiled and Left
Odisha CM Naveen Pattnaik on being asked about Farm Loan waive Naveen,replied in his favourite one liner”We are Examining”
Notably on November 5 when Navnirman Krushak Sangathan,held a massive rally demanding MSP Rise and Loan waiver for Farmers,
In their bid to ensure that members of the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan don’t converge on Bhubaneswar for the rally today, Odisha police has fanned out all entry Point to Bhubneswar.They are detaining and checking each bus to find out if there are any NKS members among them! If only Police displayed the same level of commitment in fighting crime and maintaining law and order!
With the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) scheduled to convene a mega convention of the farmers in Bhubaneswar on November 5,where Farmers across Odisha were expected to attend the meet, the administration has clamped prohibitory order along the National Highway, on the outskirts of the city, to block the entry of the leaders and activists of the outfit into the city.
Whilethe NNKS activists are on a pada yatra to Bhubaneswar from Cuttack andKhurda, the administration has clamped the prohibitory order at Hansapal andTamando. The pada yatra from Khurda is led by the former Congress MP PradipMajhi, and the rally from Cuttack by NNKS national convener Akshaya Kumar
The NNKS is demanding minimum of support price (MSP) of paddy at Rs 5000 per quintal, monthly pension at Rs 5000 for the youth and Rs 1500 for the elderly.
“The state government since last 18 years has not constructed a single mega irrigation project. One mega irrigation project should be set up in each district,” said Akshya Biswal Convenor Navnirman Krushak Sangathan
