Even though the State Government has no shortage of funds , the Government not giving bonus to the farmers on the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy is unfortunate, said Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prasad Harichandan at a Press conference here on Friday.
Harichandan said the State Government, besides getting dues of Rs 4,000 crore dues from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) a year, is getting Rs 200 crore every month. The State Government has signed a pact with the IOCL to provide loans worth Rs 700 crore without interest. Besides, the Government byDecember 31, 2017 would get Rs 18,000 crore as fine from the mines owners. So, what is the problem in the Government announcing bonus for the farmers, questioned Harichandan.
It is sad that even though there is no restriction from the Centre on paying bonus to the farmers on paddy MSP, the State Government is hoodwinking the farmers by claiming that there are restrictions. Two year back at the Sohela farmers rally, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had promised to pay Rs 100 additional financial assistance of Rs 100 on paddy MSP. But it has still remained a promise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi influenced the Chhattisgarh Government to pay Rs 300 bonus on paddy MSP to the farmers.
At times, Naveen Patnaik has good relations with the Union Government. At that time why he is forgetting to ask the Centre to hike the paddy MSP to Rs 3,000, he questioned.
Prasad demanded the Centre and the State Government waive loans of farmers and urged the State Government to immediately pay bonus to the farmers.