Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal will hold demonstrations for three days from February 14 across the State over the stoppage of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY), reduction in allocation of funds in the annual budget for 2023-24 financial year and reduction in procurement of rice among other things.
Senior BJD Lawmaker, Arun Sahoo said at a press conference here that the party will raise issues like reduction in allocation of funds by Rs 20,000 crore in the annual budget for the year 2023-24, reduction in procurement of rice from 18 lakh MT to 4 lakh MT and discontinuance of 5 kg rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) during the agitation.
On February 14, BJD will stage a demonstration at Raj Bhawan and send a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Governor.
“They (Central government) have cut funds by Rs 20,000 crore in the budget, reduced the rice procurement and discontinued 5 kg rice per eligible family the State had been receiving from the Centre. As a result, our paddy procurement will largely be affected. Protesting this, we will stage a demonstration near Raj Bhawan and submit our memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Governor,” said Sahoo.
The BJD will also stage dharna at Panchayat offices across the State on February 15. On February 16, the Regional Political Party will stage demonstrations at block offices and submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the district Collectors.
