Odisha: Opposition leader Narasingha Mishra seeks governor’s intervention to solve farmers' problems

BHUBANESWAR: Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Narasingha Mishra has urged Odisha governor Ganeshi Lal to intervene and advise the state government to ensure security and dignity of farmers.

In a letter to the governor, Mishra has pointed out the miserable condition of the farming sector in the state. Peasants resort to the agitation every year for the proper price to their agricultural produces, prestige for their work and pension for their security, he added.

“According to the state government, cost of production of paddy per quintal is Rs 2344. Hence, the price per quintal of paddy as per the Swaminathan Committee report should be Rs 3516. Even House Committee has passed a resolution demanding Rs 2930 per quintal as the price of paddy, but the Centre fixed it at Rs 1750 less than the cost of production,” said Mishra in his letter.

He also advocated for Rs 5000 monthly pension for farmers above 60 years of age. “When the farmers were coming in large numbers to Bhubaneswar on November 5 to place their demand before the government, they were obstructed, arrested and assaulted. This is highly undemocratic,” said the Congress veteran.

Mishra alleged that the state government has not done any remarkable thing in the irrigation sector. Private insurance companies have cheated the farmers of Odisha. Due to lack of proper coordination in procuring paddy, farmers sell their paddy at a much lower price, he added.

BJD spokesperson Samir Das said the state government is taking all steps for the betterment of farmers. The Centre has already awarded our state for a best-performing state in food grain production, he added.