Bhubaneswar: Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik Saturday came down heavily on the Modi government for the delay in announcing the minimum support price (MSP) for major Kharif crops like paddy despite the onset of monsoon.
The Centre should have announced the MSP for major Khariff crops including paddy by now, Patnaik said.
“Now the monsoon has touched entire Odisha as well as the country. But no minimum support price (MSP) has been announced for 24 major crops, as is usually done by June first or the second week. This has put the farmers in a dilemma and the sowing acreage is around 10 per cent less than last year at this time,” he said.
The central government must announce the MSP at the earliest and the Chief Minister must put pressure on the centre for the cause of the farmers, he said.
Accusing the Central government led by BJP of making false promises to farmers, the Congress leader said the Union government declared so many schemes for their development, but which are practically not reaching them.
On the other hand, NITI Aayog constituted by the Prime Minister has given three proposals to the government. It has proposed that the fixing of MSP will be shifted to states. Also, some private organisations will be allowed to procure directly from farmers, the Congress leader pointed out.
“By this, the BJP government at the centre is trying to shift its responsibility. Because of delay in MSP announcement, farmers will suffer,” said the state Congress president.
Congress launches app ‘Shakti’ to connect leaders, workers
To bridge the gap between the party workers and its leadership, the Congress has launched mobile application –Shakti — here in Odisha.
The mobile application is an initiative of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to strengthen the party across the country.
Launching the app Saturday, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik said through it any party member or activist or any person across the country can have direct conversation with the AICC president Rahul Gandhi.
“People can connect with AICC leaders through different phone numbers provided to each state and institution. The leaders can also contact the registered members to gather information about the issues in their areas,” he added.
PCC women wing president Sasmita Behera said the main motive behind the initiative is to ensure presence of Congress workers in every booth, panchayat, block and district. It is a medium of two-way communication so that Congress leaders can connect with grassroots workers and their opinions and suggestions can reach the AICC and OPCC chief, she added.