Farmers demanding repeal of the controversial farm laws of the Centre have intensified their agitation, which is being supported by several opposition parties, including the Congress. Apart from the Pegasus spyware controversy, the protest by farmers over the farm laws will be a major issue in the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament.
The Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) did not support the NDA government on the issue of the controversial farm laws in the Parliament. Many political observers interpreted this as a sign of strain in the relations between Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The truth, however, is that while Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has always been extremely cordial in his dealings with all the central leaders, including the Prime Minister, his political moves have always been dictated by the interests of Odisha.
This was also the case on the issue of farm laws. As it is, the Chief Minister has taken several steps for the welfare of Odisha farmers, who are convinced that state government can protect their interests irrespective of prevailing circumstances.
Thus, while the Chief Minister has come out with innovative schemes such as KALIA to ensure that farmers of all types become self-reliant without depending on government loans, he has also been campaigning for the enhancement of the minimum support price (MSP) of their produce. He has been a relentless campaigner on this issue, demanding MSP for farm produce in tune with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee. His stand on the issue has added to his popularity among the farmers.
In the wake of massive destruction of crops in the state by Cyclone Yaas, the Chief Minister came out with a package for the affected farmers. The package promised an input subsidy of Rs 6,800 per hectare to small and nominal farmers who had suffered over 33 per cent crop damage in unirrigated land while in irrigated areas, the farmers were assured input subsidy of Rs 13,500 per hectare. Similarly, Rs 18,000 per hectare was given for the land suited for all-weather crops such as mango, cashew nut, coconut and kewra.
Farmers in the affected districts were also assured 1.5 lakh quintals of high-quality certified paddy seeds with a 25 per cent discount on the rebate for the 2021 Kharif season. The package took care of the needs of all kinds of farmers, including those engaged in vegetable and betel leaf cultivation.
The package struck an immediate chord with the farmers, who remain convinced that the Naveen Patnaik government will stand with them through thick and thin. The BJD boss and his party leaders have also been raising important farming and food-related issues with the Centre. Some BJD MPs, led by veteran Prasanna Acharya, recently met union food minister Piyush Goyal and demanded immediate steps to resolve the state’s paddy procurement problems. Their memorandum to the minister sought immediate release of the pending food subsidy of Odisha and the lifting of surplus rice from the state by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
The five-time Chief Minister and his party, thus, remain fully committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers who, in return, have extended their support to his government.
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