Bhubaneswar: The Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, voiced concerns on Sunday regarding the State government’s failure to address the fertilizer crisis. He affirmed that the BJD would persist in advocating for farmers and elevate its efforts at various levels. The BJD president noted that party MLAs have vigorously expressed their concerns about the fertilizer situation in the Assembly. Patnaik stated in a post on X that, “There is no solution to the farmers’ fertilizer problems so far. The illegal sale of fertilizers is rampant everywhere.
While farmers are facing inconveniences regarding fertilizers, the government’s inability to resolve this is a matter of concern.” He emphasized, “For the interests of the farmers, the Biju Janata Dal is always raising its voice. For their rights, the party will further amplify its voice at various levels.” To find an immediate resolution to the fertilizer issue, BJD MLAs have called for the Governor’s intervention, urging prompt action to supply necessary fertilizers to farmers and to curtail black marketing. The Odisha Assembly was unable to conduct any business and was adjourned on September 19 and 20 due to BJD MLAs protesting the fertilizer crisis during the ongoing Kharif season.
The BJD’s Deputy Leader in the Assembly, Prasanna Acharya, stated that the party has initiated protests within the Assembly because the government has “failed” to tackle the fertilizer crisis, despite its claims of no nutrient shortages. He pointed out that fertilizers are being illegally sold at prices ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per 45 kg bag of urea, exceeding the government-fixed price of Rs 242. Acharya alleged that the government lacks sincerity in resolving the farmers’ issues, demanding timely and adequate fertilizer supplies for all farmers, along with strict measures to combat black-marketing and hoarding.
In contrast, senior BJP MLA and former minister Jayanarayan Mishra accused the BJD of intentionally disrupting Assembly proceedings under the direction of their “super leader,” whose identity he did not disclose. Mishra claimed that BJD’s leader has been absent from the House and that the BJD MLAs are obstructing proceedings instead of pursuing a motion to discuss the matter, thus evading a structured debate. He mentioned that the Congress has submitted a notice for an adjournment motion regarding the fertilizer issue, asserting that if BJD members were genuinely concerned, they would have engaged in the discussion.