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Sundargarh: State Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister and BJD MLA Pratap Jena on Thursday assured the agitating farmers of Sundargarh that the concerned department will soon take steps to resolve the issues regarding the procurement of paddy crops in the district.
Minister Pratap Jena was in a three-day tour to the district ahead of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's scheduled visit to Sundargarh on February 16.
Earlier in the day, dozens of farmers gheraoed the Circuit House here, where the minister halted, on Thursday morning and sat on demonstration protesting the alleged irregularities in the procurement of paddy crops.
The farmers alleged that despite having tokens for the procurement, their paddy is yet to be procured by the local authorities. The farmers threatened that unless their produce is bought by the concerned authorities, they will not withdraw their agitation.
"We do not want any procurement token, we will be happy if our crops are sold in minimum support price (MSP). The government should increase the target so that we can sell our produce," said a protesting farmer
Another farmer said, "We had to suffer loss last year as huge amount of our produce remained unsold. If our crops are not sold this season too, I am worried how I will manage my household and pay the labourers."
However, it is only after the assurance by the Minister, the agitating farmers called off their protest later in the day.
"I had earlier discussed the issues about the paddy procurement with the farmers. I have also spoken to the district collector in this regard. As soon as I reach Bhubaneswar, a discussion will be held with the Food and Civil Supplies Department Minister and other departmental officials so that immediate steps can be taken to resolve the matter," assured the State Minister.
Later in the day, farmers at Kuchinda block chhak in Sambalpur district also faced angry protests by farmers for the alleged irregularities in paddy procurement.
Earlier on Wednesday, a group of farmers had also gheraoed Jena at the Tangerpalli block office over the delay in paddy procurement in the district.
(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)
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