Pinaki Misra of BJD bats for talks with protesting farmers

New Delhi, Feb. 8 (UNI) Biju Janata Dal (BJD) member Pinaki Misra on Monday said in the Lok Sabha that the government should talk to the protesting farmers and get the solution to their problems quickly. Participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address to the joint sitting of the two Houses, the BJD member said that Odisha Assembly had gone for implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations in toto and added that farmers should get at least 50 per cent more price for their produce than their cost of production.
Mr Misra favoured that MSP should carry a legally binding guarantee and the government should make all out efforts to allay the apprehensions of the farmers who have been protesting against the three farm laws over the past more than 70 days at the borders of the Capital.
While cautiously welcoming the President’s address, the BJD member said that an impartial inquiry into the incidents of Republic Day in Delhi should be held. However, he said that spikes on the site of farmers’ protest and concrete walls did not present a happy picture in Gandhi’s India.
Mr Misra drew attention of the House and all political parties towards the need for passing the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who was present in the House was seen nodding in agreement. He said that his party had given one-third tickets to women in the last Lok Sabha elections. “This is high time that all parties which publicly support this bill should come forward to pass it. It will be a befitting tribute to women by this government,’ he said.
The BJD member also highlighted several problems of Odisha and achievements of the State government in tackling cyclones, Corona pandemic and giving highest revenue to the railways among all states.
Ritesh Pandey of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) slammed bids by certain quarters to label the ongoing protest of farmers as having being overtaken by terrorists. While condemning the incidents of Republic Day in Delhi, he said the farmers’ protest has been peaceful and their views should be heard patiently. He demanded repeal of the contentious farm laws.
He also drew attention of the House towards unemployment and economic disparities. The BSP member demanded a thorough probe into the alleged TRP scam relating to television ratings.