Bhubaneswar: BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday launched a strong attack on the State government, alleging that farmers have been left behind despite repeated assurances and campaign promises.
While addressing the “Chasi Samabesh” in Bhubaneswar, he said that while the ruling dispensation frequently invokes slogans in support of cultivators, the realities on the ground tell a different story.
According to him, nearly two years into its tenure, the government has failed to introduce meaningful reforms or concrete measures to address agrarian distress.
Patnaik recalled that during the election campaign, commitments were made to safeguard farmers’ interests, but those assurances, he claimed, have not translated into tangible benefits.
He contrasted this with the Biju Janata Dal’s tenure, highlighting initiatives such as a dedicated agriculture budget, the KALIA assistance programme, easier access to crop loans, and expanded irrigation coverage.
Questioning the performance of what he termed the “double-engine” administration, he alleged that farmers continue to face shortages of fertilisers, delays in paddy procurement, and pending payments.
The former chief minister also stated that he had written to the government outlining steps to honour its electoral commitments.
Among the measures he proposed were the creation of special enforcement teams to curb exploitation, dismantling alleged collusion between millers and officials, removing caps on input subsidies, ensuring direct benefit transfers within 48 hours, and completing paddy purchases within 72 hours.
He expressed disappointment that no response had been received even after more than two weeks, the BJD said in a post on X.
Patnaik further accused the government of prioritising publicity campaigns over addressing farmers’ pressing concerns. He asserted that the BJD would continue to raise the issue inside the Assembly and intensify its efforts to hold the government accountable.
