nA scuffle ensued between agitating farmers demanding rollback of the token system in paddy procurement and police during a former’s protest in front of the office of Sambalpur Collector on Monday. While protesters were trying to barge into the premises of the Collectorate, the police prevented them leading to the melee.
Earlier in the day, the farmers had given an ultimatum till 12 PM to withdraw the decision on the token system.
They alleged that only a limited quantity of paddy can be sold under the token system introduced by the State Government. “But this year bumper crop has been harvested. We are in a dilemma where to sell the rest of the paddy,” a farmer said ruefully.
The agitators parked paddy laden tractors in front of the Collectorate gates leading to a traffic jam on three main roads.
Similar protest was observed by farmers in Bargarh. They locked up the Sub Collector office after a discussion with the officials failed on Monday. Farmers in Padampur also expressed resentment against the token system.
The paddy procurement has begun in Sambalpur, Bargarh and Balangir from November 15, but farmers are unwilling to sell their paddy under the token system and are demanding streamlining of the paddy purchase process, keeping in view the interest of the farmers.