July 7, 2018 || Orissa Post || The next general election is not far away now. The government at the Centre has raised minimum support price (MSP) of paddy by Rs.200 (INR) to woo the farming community obviously with the next election in mind. In a bid to appease the lot of farmers who toil in the fields, the Prime Minister has made the announcement of a hike. This has been viewed as a late measure as the farmers across the country will not get the time to take proper decisions about the type of crops they are to grow as the monsoon has already set in. Political parties have made this a major issue. Fact is that in the face escalating production costs, farmers are facing the Herculean task of repaying farm loans they have availed. The tale of farmers’ woes has engaged the attention of one and all since across the country they have chosen to end lives rather than live with the ignominy of being a debtor. It has posed a big question mark before the administration. Let us hope the
July 5, 2018 || The New Indian Express || During his visit in Bhubaneswar, BJP president Amit Shah reiterated his party's 'Mission 120+' target in the 2019 Odisha Assembly elections. It is to be seen to be if his mantra works as the BJP faces a formidable challenge from the ruling BJD. The Congress is also trying to consolidate its position under a new leadership. View publication site →