Bhubaneswar, February 18: The Odisha Assembly witnessed significant turmoil on Wednesday as members of the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress raised concerns over alleged mismanagement of rice procurement across the state.
As proceedings began, BJD members, holding banners, approached Speaker Surma Padhi’s podium, chanting anti-government slogans regarding the chaos in state markets.
In a unique form of protest, some BJD legislators placed bags of rice on the journalists’ table within the assembly. Congress members also joined in, voicing their grievances related to farmers’ issues.
The uproar led Assembly Speaker Surma Padhi to adjourn the session twice, first until 11:30 AM and then again until 4 PM.
BJD’s chief whip, Pramila Mallick, spoke to reporters, stating that the party had repeatedly urged the state government to address these issues. She mentioned that they had personally met with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the Agriculture Minister to highlight the problems faced by farmers, including the ongoing practice of ‘cutting and sifting’ during procurement.
Mallick accused the government of misleading farmers with promises of an input subsidy of ₹800 and a procurement price of ₹3,100 per quintal, which encouraged them to cultivate more rice this year.
She noted that the government’s decision to limit the subsidy distribution to 150 quintals per farmer, alongside the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹2,300 per quintal, has left farmers in distress.
Mallick reported that contrary to government promises, illegal deductions of up to 10 kilograms per quintal during procurement by mill owners continue unabated across state markets, forcing farmers to sell their rice at significantly lower prices through intermediaries.
The BJD leader also criticized the inconsistencies in statements made by the Chief Minister and the Ministers of Agriculture and Food Supply regarding this issue. She asserted that the BJD would continue its protests until the government announces a definitive timeline for the complete procurement of farmers’ rice.
Congress leaders echoed these concerns, alleging that the state government was colluding with rice mill owners to coerce farmers into unfavorable situations.
Meanwhile, leaders from the ruling party criticized the BJD and Congress, accusing them of deliberately obstructing assembly proceedings to hinder discussions on Odisha’s development.
