Orissa BJP to launch agitation against UPA's anti farmer policy

Bhubaneswar, Jul 14 (UNI) The Orissa BJP today resolved to launch a statewide agitation in protest against the ''anti-farmer'' attitude of the Congress led UPA government at the Centre.

BJP Krushak Morcha, the farmers' wing of the party, president Krushna Jagdev said the party would organise a massive demonstration in front of the Governor's house here tomorrow and before the District Collector offices from July 21 to 23.

The Morcha, which held a demonstration here, later submitted a memorandum to the President through the Governor in this regard.

The Krushak Morcha leader said after the agitation memoranda would be submitted to the President seeking direction to the central government to change their attitude towards the farmers.

The BJP activists alleged that the union government had announced to waive the loan of farmers in a hurry keeping the coming election in view.

The decision instead of helping the farmers had multiplied their problems and miseries. Mr Jagdev said adding more than 50 per cent of the farmers in Orissa deprived of the scheme.

He said while Rs 1.32 lakh crore was needed for the implementation of the scheme in the country the government only waived loan to the tune of Rs 71,680 crore.

The BJP Krushak Morcha leader demanded the Union Government to rectify the error and include all farmers acorss the country under the scheme.

The memorandum alleged that the Union Government was trying to politicise the issue of fixing up of minimum support price for paddy and demanded that the MSP be enhanced to Rs 1000 per quintal.

The Union Government, he said, fixed it at Rs 850 per quintal ignoring the interests of farmers.

The demonstrators also protested the hike in prices of pesticides, agriculture equipment, power and fertiliser.

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