Food Minister Dayal Das Baghel came under fire from the Opposition over alleged discrepancies in paddy procurement figures and reduction in total acreage of the procured paddy. Congress MLA Umesh Patel questioned the decrease in total acreage of paddy in comparison to last year, prompting a response from Food Minister Dayal Das Baghel who accepted that the acreage has reduced but the overall procurement of paddy is at an all-time high. The Opposition seized upon this revelation to criticize the government. During the Assembly session, Congress MLA Umesh Patel queried the exact acreage. In response, Food Minister Dayal Das Baghel stated, “The acreage of paddy sold is 27.92 lakh hectares.”

 

Umesh Patel retorted, pointing out that this year’s paddy procurement acreage had decreased compared to the previous figure of 29.06 lakh hectares. The Opposition used this response to corner the Government, highlighting that paddy procurement had indeed decreased. The Opposition also attacked the Food Minister by claiming that the farmers aren’t getting tokens, timely payment of the sold paddy, and timely lifting of paddy from the centre. Amidst the opposition’s sharp criticism, when Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Brijmohan Agrawal attempted to speak in place of the food minister, the Opposition vehemently objected. MLA Umesh Patel demanded assurance and protection, stating, “We need your protection. Who will answer?” In response, Assembly Speaker Dr Raman directed Food Minister Dayal Das Baghel to respond. Food Minister Baghel defended, stating that while paddy acreage had decreased compared to the previous year’s expectations, more than a million farmers had still sold Paddy.

 

However, the opposition remained dissatisfied. MLA Bhupesh Baghel remarked, “In many parts of the state, thousands of farmers have not been able to sell paddy. The paddy procurement quantity has decreased, and the number of farmers is proportionally lower. The opposition, discontent with the food minister’s response, alleged that farmers had been coerced into selling lesser quantities of paddy, resulting in lower procurement. They demanded an extension of the paddy procurement deadline, a request which the Food Minister dismissed, citing the procurement date was extended already which led to the opposition staging a walkout.