BJD stages dharna demanding hike in paddy MSP

The ruling BJD in Odisha today intensified its demand to further enhance the minimum support price on paddy to Rs 2,930 per quintal.
Party workers and leaders including MLAs and MPs strongly protested the BJP-led NDA government's decision to increase MSP for paddy by a just Rs 80 per quintal for the financial year 2017-18.
Party activists staged demonstration in all 314 block headquarters in the state and will continue its 2-hour-long protest in front of block offices across the state till July 18, said MLA Mahes Sahoo.
Led by the Dhenkanal district youth BJD president Yasobanta Parida, BJD workers staged protest in front of Bhuban block in the district. Dhenkanal MP Tathagata Satpathy and Hindol legislator Simarani Nayak also took part in the agitation and demanded hike in MSP for paddy to Rs 2,930 per quintal.

With an increase of Rs 80 per quintal, MSP on paddy is now Rs 1,550, while BJD leaders claimed input cost for producing one quintal of paddy is Rs 2,500 per quintal.
Earlier, the state Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution demanding a hike in paddy MSP to Rs 2,930 per quintal.