BJD Blasts Odisha Government Over Fertilizer Crisis, Announces Statewide Agitation

Bhubaneswar : Biju Janata Dal (BJD) lashed out at the Odisha government over the ongoing fertilizer crisis, accusing it of failing to ensure adequate supply and protect farmers from black marketing. The party announced a massive protest in front of Raj Bhavan on September 15 and threatened to expand the agitation to every block in the state if the crisis persists.

BJD Vice President Sanjay Das Burma and Chief Whip and MLA Pramila Mallik alleged that the state government’s repeated claims of sufficient fertilizer stock were misleading and contradicted by official data. They urged immediate intervention to resolve the crisis, emphasizing that the shortage has pushed farmers into extreme distress.

“The state government’s repeated assurances of adequate stock are far from reality,” Das Burma stated, citing Cooperative Department data showing severe supply gaps. According to the figures, Ganjam received only 10,640 metric tons (MT) against a demand of 19,561 MT, Bhadrak got just 863 MT versus a requirement of 6,188 MT, Balasore 900 MT against a need for 2,600 MT, and Angul 4,954 MT compared to an indent of 8,100 MT.

“These official numbers prove that districts are receiving far less than their requirements, exposing the false claims made by the government,” he added. He further warned that farmer protests and road blockades have already erupted in several districts due to the crisis.

Pramila Mallik highlighted that nearly 70 percent of Odisha’s population depends on agriculture, and the ongoing shortage has caused immense hardship. She criticized the government for misleading the public instead of resolving the issue and recalled that former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had written to the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers requesting urgent action, but no solution has yet been provided.

Mallik also expressed concern over the Talcher Fertilizer Plant, which has remained non-functional for seven years despite assurances of completion within 36 months. She stated that the plant’s prolonged inactivity has deprived Odisha of a critical fertilizer source, worsening the crisis.

The BJD’s protest aims to hold the government accountable and demand swift corrective measures to ensure farmers receive the necessary support during this challenging time. The party reiterated its commitment to stand “shoulder to shoulder with farmers in their fight for justice.”