Bhubaneswar: BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday trained his gun at two Central ministers from the state – Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan - alleging non-cooperation over farmers’ issues.
Addressing an election rally in Atabira of Bargarh district, Mr Patnaik said the Centre had promised to double the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy but failed to do so.
He said, “After waiting for two years, a delegation of ministers along with farmer leaders went to Delhi to press for the demand. But, the BJP-led government at the Centre did not have time for a discussion with the Odisha team.”
“Moreover, there are two Odia ministers in the Union cabinet. Unfortunately, both of them kept mum over the issue,” Mr Patnaik stated.
The BJD chief reiterated his allegation that the BJP was conspiring to stop disbursal of monetary assistance to farmers under the KALIA scheme.
“No one can stop KALIA till I am alive,” he restated.
