New Delhi, January 30: BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra has issued a stark warning on India’s economic trajectory, emphasizing that without addressing farmers’ persistent struggles, achieving ambitious growth targets will remain elusive.
In an exclusive interview, Patra commented on key national developments, including the Supreme Court’s stay on UGC’s new regulations, the Economic Survey 2026 projections, issues surrounding the SIR linked to voter lists, and the upcoming Global Impact AI Summit in Delhi.
On the UGC matter, Patra noted the court’s notice and pending status. ‘The Supreme Court will clarify everything with its final verdict,’ he said, urging restraint until then.
Turning to the Economic Survey 2026, Patra highlighted positive GDP growth forecasts but stressed agriculture’s pivotal role. ‘These numbers look promising and achievable, yet farming remains the cornerstone,’ he asserted.
Patra painted a grim picture of the agricultural sector. Farmers grapple with closed markets, stalled crop procurement, and acute fertilizer shortages. ‘Resolving these core issues is non-negotiable for sustainable economic progress,’ he warned.
Regarding voter list revisions via SIR, Patra pointed to Supreme Court-identified procedural flaws. ‘The court acknowledged multiple shortcomings that demand correction, especially at tehsil and block levels,’ he said.
With Odisha’s SIR process slated for the next 2-3 months, Patra expressed alarm over potential erroneous deletions of eligible voters. ‘We must ensure no genuine names are struck off mistakenly,’ he cautioned.
Patra’s enthusiasm peaked for the Global Impact AI Summit, set for February 16-20 in Delhi. ‘This is India’s golden opportunity to showcase our AI prowess, machine learning innovations, and deep tech advancements to global leaders and entrepreneurs,’ he enthused.
‘Our talented innovators can demonstrate India’s rapid strides in AI on the world stage,’ Patra concluded, underscoring the event’s potential to elevate India’s global tech stature.