Assembly debates distress sale of paddy, farmers on streets

The House, which was virtually paralysed for five days over the Congress demand for a debate on the farmers issue, finally resumed business with Speaker P K Amat allowing an adjournment motion by it.

The House took about two hours to discuss the admissibility on the notice of the opposition which alleged large-scale distress sale of paddy due to non-opening of mandis.

During discussion, the opposition MLAs also demanded Rs 300 as bonus per quintal of paddy.

Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh of Congress criticised the state government for failing to open mandis in all districts forcing farmers to sell their produce at a throwaway price.

"While the minimum support price of paddy was fixed at Rs 1250 per quintal, farmers are forced to sell at Rs 800 per quintal. Middlemen are virtually taking opportunity from the government's inability to open required mandis," alleged Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan.

Other Congress members including Santosh Singh Sajula and Subala Sahu held the state government responsible for the plight of farmers while BJP member J N Mishra criticised the 'faulty' procurement policy. MORE