In Rajya Sabha, Opposition flags farm distress, surge in migration, rising human-wildlife conflict

During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Opposition MPs raised a series of issues, including agrarian distress and rising human–wildlife conflict, and the growing exodus of Indians seeking opportunities abroad.

Speaking for the Biju Janata Dal, Sasmit Patra said paddy procurement had collapsed in Odisha, with dysfunctional mandis and delayed lifting pushing farmers into distress sales far below the minimum support price (MSP). He flagged the continued malpractice of katni‑chatni — arbitrary deductions at procurement centres — as well as artificial caps on procurement that denied farmers the full benefit of MSP. Fertilizer shortages during the peak sowing season and crop insurance failures, he added, were driving cultivators deeper into debt. He urged the Centre to intervene urgently to safeguard farmer livelihoods and food security.

From Kerala, CPI(M) MP John Brittas raised alarm over the escalating human-wildlife conflict, calling it a “unilateral attack” on human beings. He said 555 people had died in wildlife attacks between 2019-20 and last year. Wild boars, he noted, were responsible for significant loss of life and crop destruction, yet the Centre had rejected Kerala’s request to classify them as vermin — a move allowed for States like Bihar and Uttarakhand earlier. Mr. Brittas accused former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of putting “forest and environment” in the Concurrent List and targeted Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, alleging that he had “gleefully” credited Ms. Gandhi for the move.“ “Left to people like him, he would love for Malayalees to vacate Kerala so that wild boars, monkeys, and elephants can roam around. That is their attitude,” he said.  

NCP (SP) MP Dr. Fauzia Khan drew attention to India’s rising outward migration, calling the trend “alarming.” Citing official data, she said more than two lakh Indians had renounced their citizenship each year between 2022 and 2024, while nearly 25 lakh citizens left the country annually for education and employment. India, she noted, had become the largest source of international migrants, with nearly 18 million Indians living overseas. A nation, she said, can become a true Vishwaguru only when its youth see opportunity within the country rather than abroad.