Farmers dump paddy at Bhadrak collector’s office over ‘procurement irregularities’

Farmers staged a protest at the Bhadrak Collector’s office on Friday, alleging large-scale irregularities in paddy procurement by millers in the district. 

In a dramatic demonstration, several farmers arrived on tractors loaded with paddy and dumped the sacks inside the Collector’s office premises.

The protest was organised to draw the administration’s attention to their grievances over procurement practices.

Allegations Against Millers

The protesting farmers alleged that millers in Odisha's Bhadrak district have either refused to procure paddy or are imposing arbitrary deductions. They claimed that millers are deducting between 8 kg and 13 kg per quintal under various pretexts. The farmers also alleged that gunny bags are not being provided to them.

The Nava Nirman Krushak Sangathan alleged that paddy is lying in heaps at mandis across the district, while the departmental minister and the administration are presenting a misleading picture of the procurement process.

Ranjit Patnayak, a member of the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan, said, “Millers at various mandis are exploiting farmers. They are threatening us that unless we allow a deduction of 8 kg per quintal in the name of ‘katni chatni’, our paddy will not be procured.”

Farmers Warn Of Continued Protest

Another farmer, Satya Ranjan Jena, alleged that their concerns were ignored despite prior representations. “Before procurement began, we had requested the administration to allow farmer representatives to participate in meetings with millers. We want transparency. Farmers are being looted in the name of FAQ norms and threatened that procurement will stop,” he said.

Also Read: Paddy procurement: Farmers allege arbitrariness by rice millers in Odisha’s Kendrapara

The farmers warned that they would continue their sit-in protest until their grievances are addressed.

No response was received from the district administration at the time of filing this report.