BJD to protest for higher MSP for paddy

All MPs and MLAs of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will stage a one-day 'dharna' here on Tuesday to demand higher MSP for paddy.

Odisha Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik will also join the protest at Talkatora Stadium to demand Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy at Rs 2,930 a quintal, said Prasanna Acharya, Rajya Sabha member and head of BJD's farmers wing.

Later, Patnaik will meet President Ram Nath Kovind.

Addressing a press conference here, Acharya said the Modi government did not respond to their demand even after the Odisha Assembly passed a resolution for higher MSP, which was supported by all parties including the BJP.

"A delegation of MLAs wanted to meet Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) in this regard. However, he did not meet them. There has been no response from the Centre to our demand. So people in Odisha are protesting," he said.

BJD Lok Sabha MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said the party has been raising various issues and those affecting farmers "need not to be turned into politics".

At present the MSP announced by the central government for paddy is Rs 1,750 per quintal.

--IANS

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