Paddy procurement irregularities: Farmers lock up Coop society officials

Deogarh: Opposing delay and irregularities in paddy procurement process at different mandis, farmers locked up the officials of Basalai Cooperative society of Barkote block in the district yesterday.

According to sources, hundreds of irate farmers of the region staged agitation and locked up the office while the officials were inside.

The agitating farmers have alleged that the Cooperative society is not procuring paddy from them citing various reasons. They also threatened to intensify their agitation if their issue is not resolved.

"As the paddy is not procured, we have locked up the officials inside the office. We demand procurement of the paddy or else we will intensify our agitation,” said a farmer, Sachidananda Patnaik.

On the other hand, officials of the Basalai Cooperative society informed that they have been directed to procure paddy only after a mill is set up in Sambalpur.

“The higher officials directed us that the paddy will be procured only after a mill is set up in Sambalpur. But when we informed this to the farmers they are not in a state to understand," Secretary of Basalai Cooperative society, Ajay Kumar Samal said.

Meanwhile, no comments could be obtained from the higher authorities.