Bhubaneswar, Nov. 29 -- Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday made a veiled attack on Naveen Patnaik, saying the BJD-led government is appropriating money meant for farmers. He said this while addressing a meeting at Mandosil under Paikamal block in Bargarh district.

Hitting out on the Chief Minister, Pradhan said, "We want a permanent solution to the paddy procurement issue. At times, they (the BJD) are allegingin the Assembly that the centre has not been providing the promised money. You have been to Delhi on several occasions and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I have never read in any newspaper about you complaining to the PM regarding the paddy procurement problem in Odisha nor have I ever heard you giving any statement on ...