Bargarh: Embarking on a marathon election campaign across Bargarh and Bolangir for phase-II polls scheduled on April 18, Odisha Chief Minister cum supremo of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) reiterated in his public meetings today that the Centre has neglected Odisha farmers and even two Odia Union Ministers remained mum on the issue for 5 years.
Addressing the public in Bargarh’s Atabira and Padampur and Bolangir’s Patnagarh, he said, “There are 40 lakh KALIA beneficiaries, but BJP is trying to stop this farmers’ welfare scheme. Till I am here, no one can stop KALIA. On the first day of BJD government after this election, all farmers will get Rs 10,000 for two installments.”
“In its manifesto last time, BJP had promised double MSP. It was a good promise and we waited. But, nothing happened. In 2016, I reminded the Centre but still no step was taken. In Vidhan Sabha, a House Committee was constituted and members from all parties were there. They went to Delhi to put forward farmers’ demands. Two years have passed, nothing has happened. Delhi Durbar has not been able to give even 2 minutes for farmers. There are two Odia Union Ministers but they too did not open their mouths,” he lambasted.
He added, “Heavy GST was being charged on Handloom and Handicraft. I requested the Centre to bring it down. Demands of including Koshali language in Constitution’s 8th schedule have also been placed, but nothing has happened. They (Centre leaders) will come to Odisha now for elections and will give tall promises. Later, they will be nowhere to be found. They will not be present in your hapiness or sadness. But, I am here for my 4.5 crore Odia family.”
It is notable to mention here that BJD’s Lok Sabha candidate is Prasanna Acharya for Bargarh and Kalikesh Singhdeo for Bolangir.
In Bolangir, he is set to conduct a road show via Kantabanji, Bangomunda, Haldi, Titlagarh, Belgaon, Sanitala, Tushra Chhak, Deogaon, Bolangir, Loisinga and Salebhata. He will be addressing a public meeting at his second assembly seat Bijepur tomorrow after a halt at Bargarh.