Bargarh: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today organized a large-scale farmers’ protest in Bargarh, Odisha, to voice strong opposition against what it calls the “anti-farmer policies” of the BJP Government. Thousands of farmers from across Western Odisha, joined by leaders from major farmer organizations and senior BJD leaders, participated in the demonstration.
Senior BJD leaders asserted that farmer issues have “intensified” over the past 14 months under the “double-engine” government. Following the protest, a memorandum detailing urgent farmer issues was submitted to the Bargarh District Collector, to be forwarded to the President of India.
The memorandum highlighted several key grievances:
- Complex Registration Process: The BJD criticized the government for imposing a complicated registration process that they claim was designed to prevent farmers from selling their paddy. They noted that due to BJD-led protests, the government had recently withdrawn this process.
- Failed Insurance Scheme: The party labeled the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana a “failed scheme,” alleging that it benefits insurance companies rather than providing timely compensation to farmers for crop damage.
- Procurement and MSP Issues: BJD leaders accused the government of failing to honor its poll promise of a ₹3,100 Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy. They also criticized the current procurement system, citing issues like middlemen exploitation, unnecessary deductions, and delayed payments, which they said have made a “mockery” of the government’s promises.
- CM KISAN Yojana: The BJD claimed that the current government renamed the popular KALIA Scheme to CM KISAN Yojana and has stopped providing assistance to sharecroppers and landless farm workers.
The protest served as a platform to demand that the state government fix MSP in line with the Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations and make it a legal right.
Among the senior BJD leaders present were Shri Prasanna Acharya, Shri Pratap Jena, Smt. Snehangini Chhuria, and Shri Niranjan Pujari, among many others, said Dr. Priyabrata Majhi, Media Co-ordinator, BJD. The gathering was presided over by Shri Sushant Mahapatra, with Shri Kishore Debata delivering the vote of thanks.