India, Sept. 4 -- Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress on Friday stepped up their attack on the Odisha government over the Food Corporation of India's (FCI) slow lifting of rice from the state, warning that the issue could affect paddy procurement during the upcoming Kharif season

The reactions came a day after Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra publicly expressed concern over the delay in lifting custom-milled rice and said it was creating difficulties for the state's paddy procurement operations.

BJD says Centre neglecting Odisha Addressing a press conference, BJD vice-presidents Sanjay Dasburma and Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the minister's remarks had vindicated the party's repeated allegation...