Bargarh/Sohela: In a significant move to support farmers, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday distributed additional input assistance of ₹800 per quintal for paddy procured from farmers. The assistance, transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts, was disbursed during an event at Sohela in Bargarh district.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to its promises, the Chief Minister stated that this additional assistance, combined with the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹2,300, ensures farmers receive ₹3,100 per quintal for their paddy. Over 16,000 farmers benefited from the ₹66 crore disbursed through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system on the day. “Today marks a historic day for Odisha and its farmers. This step underscores our dedication to providing fair prices and empowering the farming community,” Majhi said, addressing the gathering.
The Chief Minister criticized the previous BJD government, accusing it of neglecting farmers and failing to deliver on promises of a ₹100 bonus per quintal. He emphasized the BJP government’s swift action in fulfilling its commitments to the agricultural sector. Previous Government failed to do in its 24 years of rule, the BJP government implemented it within 6 months, he claimed.
The government has streamlined the paddy procurement process with transparent mechanisms. Registered farmers are issued tokens before procurement, and payments are made directly to their accounts within 48 hours. To eliminate middlemen, nodal officers have been deployed at procurement centers, and a helpline (1967) has been set up to address farmer grievances. Additionally, a task force monitors border districts to prevent illegal paddy transportation into Odisha.
The event, organized by the Department of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, saw participation from thousands of farmers and key state ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Minister of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, Science and Technology Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Cooperatives, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Pradeep Bal Samanta and among Bargarh MP Pradip Purohit, MLA Ashwini Sarangi, MLA Nihar Mahananda, MLA Irashish Acharya, MLA Sanat Garatia and Bargarh Collector Aditya Goel were prominently present at Sohela, who highlighted the government’s focus on farmer welfare and empowerment. Similar programs were held in Puri and Sambalpur, attended by other senior ministers.
Input:- Satyajit Dash
Photo:- Badri Prasad Sahu
