Bhubaneswar: Lashing out at the BJP and Congress over waiver of farm loans, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday said these parties have ruined the economy of the nation and the states by their faulty policies. Replying to reporters’ questions on farm loan waiver sought by Congress and BJP in Odisha, Patnaik said, “Both BJP and Congress have turned the coffers empty. My Cabinet and I have given more progressive push to the economy with creative idea for livelihood support to the poor and farmers.”
“The Congress’ loan waiver announcements are ridiculous as they destroyed the economy while they were in government between 1995 and 1999…. I am sure most of you would remember how the treasury was bankrupt, how salaries could not be paid, how infrastructure suffered. All this came about because of their unpragmatic policies. Farm loan waivers have not helped the country in the past, neither will it benefit in the future,” he said.
With regard to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s clamour in this regard, the Chief Minister said, “The BJP talks more and does less. If you remember the 2014 election manifesto, it promised to provide special category status (SCS). You know what happened after that.”
On the implementation of MS Swaminathan Commission report in the state, he said the Centre should deal with it first.
Enumerating the benefits of Kalia scheme, Naveen said it has been designed to meet the needs of farmers in Odisha. The KALIA scheme is progressive and it helps every farmer in a progressive way including their self-employment potential of the poorest of the poor, he added.
With regard to the hike in MSP of paddy, he said, “We are demanding this from the Centre.”
Naveen’s statement came in the wake of demands made by Congress and BJP with regard to loan waiver.
The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik, meanwhile, said, “Last year, Odisha Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution to raise MSP of paddy up to Rs 2930/quintal. Why hasn’t it happened till now? Political parties have started talking about agrarian issues only after Congress won three states and announced farm loan waiver.”
State BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty said, “We are hardly four months away from elections. Announcement of such schemes ahead of elections is like weaving a golden dream to the poor. Where is the crop loan waiver?”
The government has not admitted a single case of farmer suicide in the state. The BJD government is indulging in dramatics by making pleasant announcements, he alleged.
The saffron leader also questioned, “What happened to the state’s Potato Mission, Parvati Giri irrigation project and Gangadhar Meher lift irrigation project? This government’s only achievement is announcement of innovative schemes.”
