Bhadrak Collector disguises self in shorts, poses as farmer to probe ‘katni-chhatni’ allegations

In an unprecedented event, Bhadrak District Collector Dilip Routrai disguised himself in ordinary clothes and even pretended to be a farmer at the Katasahi mandi under Dhamnagar block to probe allegation of ‘katni-chhatni’ (undue price reduction of paddy upon assessment) on Saturday.

Sources reported that the District Collector parked his vehicle far away and reached the Katasahi PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Society) wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and a face mask. In this disguise, he walked and made several rounds of the mandi, inspecting and taking firsthand stock of repeated issues being faced by farmers.

Without revealing his identity, the Collector interacted with farmers and inquired about paddy sales. Taking matters into his own hands, he then attempted to sell paddy using another farmer's token. However, the cooperative official in charge mentioned that around 8 kg of paddy would be deducted as wastage.

Finding the ‘katni-chhatni’ allegations to be true, Collector Routrai then issued a show-cause notice to the concerned officials on the spot.

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“The allegations made against your PACS was found to be true and therefore you are asked to show cause why action as deemed proper shall not be initiated against you,” said the show-cause notice issued to The Secretary of Katsahi PACS.

The notice also demanded the concerned officials to file their response within two days of receiving the letter failing which action deemed proper would be initiated against them.

The notice stated that the Collector had received various reports and allegations of how “farmers were falling prey to the machinations of the PACS and the Millers”.

Incidentally, the letter also stated that the Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies (ARCS) of Bhadrak had also recently met with Secretaries of several PACS in the district to ensure that the farmers are not put to a loss.

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Unfortunately, despite the district administration’s meetings and instructions, ‘katni-chhatni’ continued to persist, leading to the Bhadrak Collector’s novel and strict approach.