Miller stir disrupts paddy procurement in Odisha; Minister alleges external influence

After talks between Odisha government and rice millers failed recently, the ongoing millers’ agitation has intensified, disrupting paddy procurement across the State. However, Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta on Tuesday alleged that the agitation is being “managed by external forces” with the intention of putting the State government in a difficult position.

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Speaking to the media, the Minister said the government is making sincere efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue and mutual discussion. But deliberations are still underway, and no conclusion has been reached yet.

Minister Bal Samanta added that demands raised by the millers lack substantial justification, suggesting that they are being instigated by others to create pressure on the government.

Despite the agitation, Food Supplies department continues to hold discussions with millers, and the Minister expressed confidence that the problem would be resolved soon.

 Meanwhile, millers have stopped lifting paddy from Mandis as part of their protest, leading to thousands of bags of farmers’ produce lying unsold in market yards. The failure of negotiations has stalled procurement for a second consecutive day, putting farmers at risk as their sale tokens are close to lapsing.

“Negotiations are still underway, but no conclusion has been reached yet. The four-point charter of demands of the millers does not seem to have any justification, which should be addressed by the government. Those are not genuine,” the Minister said.

“They want to put the State government into trouble during the procurement season. As it seems, they are being instigated by any external force,” the Minister further said.

Moreover, no immediate response has been received from the millers’ association regarding the Cooperation Minister’s remarks.