Bhubaneswar: BJP MLA from Deogarh Subash Chandra Panigrahi threatened Friday in the Odisha Legislative Assembly that he will immolate himself if delay in paddy procurement process at several mandis across Odisha is not tackled in a proper manner.
The legislator criticised the government’s mismanagement at mandis and the irregularities in paddy procurement, including faulty token system. Hundreds of farmers in different parts of the Odisha continue to stage protests by blocking roads, the MLA said in the House.
Panigrahi also staged a sit-in in the House demanding immediate procurements of paddy at various mandis in the state. He drew attention of the government towards the plight of Odisha farmers.
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“I will set myself on fire if the procurement process is not streamlined and the produce of the farmers are not bought at the earliest. The farmers of the state have become victims of sheer apathy of the Odisha government. Many farmers are yet to sell their produce due to delay and glitches in token generation,” the aggrieved MLA said during the Zero Hour. He returned to his seat after the Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro assured him that the grievances will be looked into.
PNN
