Bhubaneswar: Hitting the campaign trail for Padampur by-election, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik on Friday slammed the Centre raising several issues including imposition of 18 per cent GST on Kendu leaf.
Patnaik on Friday visited the Padampur Assembly segment and addressed public rallies at Jharbandh, Paikmal and Padampur blocks of Padampur assembly constituency.
He said it is very sad that the BJP government at the Centre has levied 18 per cent GST on Kendu leaf.
“Do you know how much GST is levied on gold? Only three per cent GST is levied on gold. Gold businessmen will give only three per cent but the poor Kendu leaf workers have to pay 18 per cent GST,” Patnaik said, adding he will fight for them at the grassroots in Delhi.
The BJP leaders are shedding crocodile tears for the Kendu leaf workers, he added.
He blamed the Centre for delay in payment of crop insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and said many farmers in Padampur have not received their insurance claims so far.
When the aggrieved farmers stopped the BJP candidate from filing the nomination paper for the by-poll, the NDA government wakes up within 48 hours, Patnaik said.
–IANS