Amid an uproar by Opposition BJP and Congress in the State Assembly over farmers’ issues, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain on Saturday informed the House that paddy procurement in the State has increased by 21 per cent so far.
Swain said a total of 55.03 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of paddy has been procured till February 19 against the procurement of 45.61 lakh MT during the same time of last Kharif marketing season.
The Minister said the paddy procurement during the present Kharif marketing season has surpassed the total paddy procurement during the last year and it would create an all-time record.He informed that during Kharif marketing season 2019-20, a total of 53.31 lakh MT of paddy had been procured. The last date for procurement of paddy is fixed for March 31.
The Minister made the statement following a ruling of Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro on Friday. Swain said Rs 10,281 crore has been sent to the bank accounts of the farmers for the paddy procurement. A total of 9.93 lakh farmers have sold paddy to the Government by February 19 against 8.23 lakh farmers during the same time last year. A total of 9.56 lakh farmers had sold paddy to the government during last procurement season. He said the Government is committed to procure paddy at mandis from farmers having valid tokens. However, ruckus continued in the House despite the Minister’s statement as the Opposition demanded a discussion on the farmers’ issues through a motion.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Pradipta Naik (BJP) tore up a copy of the Minister’s written reply. Speaker Patro said, “The Minister concerned today submitted his reply on the matter. Let’s wait for seven days, after which he will be summoned to present the facts.” For the third consecutive day, the proceedings of the Assembly witnessed pandemonium as BJP and Congress members alleged mismanagement in the mandis.
The Speaker adjourned the House till 11:30 am and later till 4 pm.“We demanded suspension of all businesses in the House and discussion on the farmers’ issues through a motion. The Government is not ready for discussion on the crucial issues,” said Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Majhi (BJP) told the media.The Congress MLAs also opposed the Minister’s reply.
“Farmers constitute nearly 80 per cent of the State’s population. We had brought an adjournment motion, but the Speaker is yet to accept it. We are opposing the Minister’s statement as we were told that there is no scope for any discussion after the Minister’s reply,” said Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
