Opposition BJP and Congress on Saturday expressed their concern in the State Assembly over the alleged irregularities in paddy procurement at mandis across the state.
The issue was raised during an adjournment motion discussion. The opposition parties alleged that mill owners are still calling the shots over paddy procurement.
Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra asked why CCTVs were not installed in all the mandis. He said the Government has joined hands with unscrupulous traders to exploit the farmers.
BJP MLA Mohan Charan Majhi alleged that hundreds of farmers are facing difficulties due to the token problem. Farmers can’t sell paddy even if they get tokens. The mill owners are reaping the benefits.
Replying to the motion, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said the Government has taken all steps to make the paddy procurement process transparent and farmer-friendly.
A total of 15.43 lakh farmers are eligible for selling their paddy to the Government during the kharif marketing season 2021-22.
Earlier, the Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes as Congress members took on the Government over the law and order situation. This forced Speaker SN Patro to adjourn the question hour.
As soon as the House assembled at 10:30 am to take up question hour, the Congress members demanded a discussion on the law and order situation, entry of a Government official in the strong room at the BJB College where EVMs of municipal elections were kept and burning of a strong room at Nayagarh.
The Congress members went into the Well of the House and disrupted the business of the House.
As the protest continued, the Speaker adjourned the House at 10:32 am till 11:30 am.
