Bolangir rice mill owners firm on 8-point demands ahead of paddy procurement tomorrow

Bolangir is facing a significant impasse over the paddy procurement process that is scheduled to begin in the district tomorrow. Although the process is slated to commence from tomorrow i.e. December 2, 2024, the Rice Mill Owners’ Association is yet to strike an agreement with the district administration.

The association representing the mill owners has threatened to not participate in the paddy procurement process if their demands are not met. They are firmly pressing on their eight-point charter of demands, causing friction in the paddy procurement.

Around 50 mill proprietors have abstained from registering for the paddy procurement process over their various demands. They are keen that the district administration must accept their demands for their participation in the paddy procurement.

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Attempts to enter an agreement after the intervention of the District Collector turned futile yesterday. Despite repeated requests by the District Collector, the meeting concluded without reaching a resolution, resulting in ambiguity about the procurement procedure's commencement tomorrow.

The absence of consensus raises concerns over how the paddy procurement will be carried out tomorrow in the district. The continuation of this deadlock could affect farmers who are anxiously waiting for the sale of their crops, thereby impacting the district's agrarian economy.