Farmers allege harassment by millers in Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal: Farmers of Jagannathpur village in the district are facing a tough time during the paddy procurement process owing to a dispute with rice millers over fair average quality (FAQ) norms.

During the last two days tonnes of paddy brought for sale by farmers from distant villages are lying outside the mandis. Moreover, farmers are spending sleepless nights to guard the sacks of paddy.

As per allegations, millers are demanding cuts/concessions of at least 10 kgs during the procurement citing fair average quality (FAQ) norms. “The millers are demanding 10-15 kg cut per quintal. Apart from this, there are major inaccuracies in the weighing machine of millers,” rued a farmer Srinivas Sahu.

“Millers are demanding 260-kg of cuts for purchasing 50 bags of paddy. When we asked millers to cut less, they are not willing to procure paddy,” alleged another farmer Basudeb Mallick.

On the other hand, Arun Kumar, secretary of the cooperative society, which procured paddy from farmers, said that he is not aware of the allegations.

“I don't know of any such cuts/concessions or dispute between farmers and millers” said Kumar.