Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Thursday announced a 10-day agitation programme in 12 districts against the Centre's decision not to hike the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy.

The party has deployed several of its leaders, including finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera, sports minister Chandra Sarathi Behera, party general secretary Sanjay Das Burma and deputy chief whip Rohit Pujari to declare the protest programme accusing the Centre of displaying an apathetic attitude towards Odisha.

Calling the Modi government anti-farmer, Behera said: "The Centre's decision not to hike the MSP of paddy is a setback to the cause of the farmers. We are opposing the Centre's decision to fix the MSP for paddy at Rs 1,550."

"Union agriculture minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat had already made an announcement to this effect on December 29. This only reflects Modi's government's anti-farmer stand. Agricultural activities play a major role in shaping the economy of the state. But by not hiking the MSP of paddy, the Centre is trying to destroy the economy of the state," he said.

Announcing the party's programme, Das Burma said: "We will organise the agitation programme in all the blocks of the 12 districts. We are demanding Rs 2,930 as the MSP of paddy. The Odisha Assembly committee had sought an appointment with the Prime Minister on the issue but it was not given."