Odisha farmer dies chasing paddy payment after money sent to dormant Kerala account

A tragic incident from Odisha’s Bolangir district has sparked widespread outrage after a farmer lost his life while attempting to retrieve money from the sale of his paddy, which was mistakenly transferred to an inactive bank account in Kerala.

The deceased has been identified as Balaram Pradhan, a resident of Nagaon village under Agalpur block in the district. Balaram had sold 31 quintals of paddy at a PACS mandi, expecting the sale proceeds and subsidy to be credited to his active local bank account. However, the payment was instead transferred to an old, dormant bank account in Kerala.

According to sources, Balaram had migrated to Kerala for work during the Covid-19 period and had opened the account there. After returning to Odisha about five years ago, the account became inactive. Last year, payment for his paddy sale was successfully credited to his Punjab National Bank account in Odisha, but this year the amount was unexpectedly transferred to the inactive Kerala account.

In a desperate attempt to withdraw the money, Balaram travelled to Kerala with necessary documents. Tragically, he fell seriously ill during the trip and later passed away due to health complications before he could access the funds.

Also Read: Farmer killed after getting trapped in paddy harvesting machine in Balasore

"It's tragic news for the farmer's community in the district. Due to the faulty policy of the government, a farmer from Bolangir lost his life in Kerala," said Akash Mishra, a farmer's leader.

Adding to the family’s distress, Balaram’s body remains in Kerala as his family lacks the financial means to bring it back to Odisha.

"He (Balaram) went to Kerala on December 28 and reached there on December 30. He fell ill and was admitted to a hospital there. He had opened an account in Kerala when he was working as a migrant worker there. Payment for his paddy sale went to the dead account," said Balaram's relative Ganesh Pradhan.

The PACS secretary stated that since the bank account was linked with Aadhaar, the amount was automatically credited there, claiming that PACS has no facility to verify or cross-check bank account details before payment.

"As his (Balaram) bank account was linked with Aadhaar, the amount was automatically credited there. I can't say it as a wrong policy. We will work as per the government procedure. We are also worried that a farmer lost his life after going to Kerala to withdraw his payment," said Ranjan Kumar Sahu, Nagaon PACS secretary.

The incident has raised serious questions about lapses in the paddy procurement payment system and accountability for the error that led to the farmer’s death.

Following the incident, the Zilla Parishad Chairperson met the bereaved family and held discussions with the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and Labour Officer, demanding immediate government assistance and arrangements to bring back the body.

"We will first try to bring back the body from Kerala. The district Collector has assured us in this regard. We request the government to provide whatever help is possible," said Bolangir Zilla Parishad Chairperson Debaki Sahu.

Meanwhile, the Labour Officer said efforts are underway, and authorities are coordinating to facilitate the transportation of the body to Odisha.