BJD Holds Protest in Front of Block Office Against Centre’s Rice Discontinuation
Kakatpur, 16/02 – On Thursday, a massive protest was held in front of the Kakatpur Block Office by members of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) against the Central Government’s decision to stop distribution of free rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
Thousands of BJD workers—both men and women—participated in the protest. Holding placards and chanting slogans against the Central Government, the rally marched from Padmacharan Samanta Singh Trust through the market and reached the Block Office.
The protest meeting was presided over by Block BJD President Prananath Mallik. Key speakers at the event included Zone 7 Zilla Parishad Member Sanyukta Dixit, Minister’s Representative Kabir Biswal, Kakatpur Sarpanch Abhaya Sethi, youth leader Biswajit Das, Himanshu Bhusan Dixit, Deepak Satapathy, Ranjan Nayak, student union president of Kakatpur Assembly Segment Rakesh Behera, Rudranarayan Mallik, Mituranjan Dixit, Kishore Panda, women’s leader Tulasi Mohanty, Pratimanjali Swain (Secretary, Maa Taradei Mahila Mancha, Kakatpur), Deeptimayi Baral, former Sarpanch representative of Bangurigaon Panchayat Bapi Pradhan, Samishta Pani, Rashmita Behera, Seema Sahoo, and others.
The speakers sharply criticized the Central Government for discontinuing the additional 5 kg of free rice that was being provided during the COVID-19 period under PMGKAY. A four-page memorandum addressed to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, was submitted through Block Development Officer Dr. Tusharjyoti Ranjan, demanding the immediate resumption of the 5 kg rice to eligible beneficiaries.
The protest saw participation from elected representatives of 16 BJD-supported Panchayats, including Sarpanches, Samiti Members, student leaders, BJD functionaries, and members of the Biju Janata Mahila Group. Over 2,000 party workers were in attendance.
