Opposition creates ruckus in Assembly over distress sale of tomatoes

BHUBANESWAR: The opposition MLAs from Congress and BJP created ruckus in the state Assembly over reports regarding distress sale of tomatoes in various parts of the state.
Speaker PK Amat adjourned the house within two minutes after the Question Hour started at 10:30 am as the opposition MLAs rushed to the Well and continued sloganeering against the state government near the Speakers’ podium.

As the House reassembled at 11:30 am, Leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra lashed out at the state government over the issue. He urged the Speaker to adjourn the Assembly so that the issue of distress sale can be discussed to find out a solution.

“During an adjournment debate on Thursday, the agriculture minister (Pradeep Maharathy) claimed that the farmers of the state are facing absolutely no problem and the state government is doing everything for the farmers. Media reports on distress sale of tomatoes tell the truth about condition of farmers in Odisha. At some places people are not ready to purchase tomatoes even at Re 1 per kg,” Mishra said.

Stating that farmers across the state are facing similar situations, Mishra said the state government is not taking the issue seriously. “Without admitting the ground realities, the state government is making baseless arguments like they are winning Krishi Karman awards for growth of farming sector in the state. Distress sale is forcing farmers to commit suicide. The state governments’ arguments are ridiculous and very unfortunate,” he added.

Supporting the leader of opposition, BJP leader KV Singhdeo also said lack of cold storage facilities in the state has led to the situation across Odisha. He also slammed the state government for its alleged lackadaisical attitude towards the plight of farmers and making tall claims instead.

“The state government might have presented separate agriculture budget and launches welfare scheme for farmers but it has failed to win the confidence of the farmers,” said Singhdeo.

As the opposition members again started sloganeering demanding a ruling from the chair on the issue, Amat adjourned the House till 3pm.

Briefing reports outside, BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma criticised both the Congress and BJP for disrupting Assembly proceedings. “The state government is very much concerned for farmers and doing everything possible. The opposition parties are only politicising the issue. They can raise the issue in a proper platform without disrupting the assembly proceedings,” said Das Burma.