More than a month has passed since the Rabi paddy procurement process in Bargarh district has begun but the problem of disposal of paddy remains unresolved. Many farmers in the district have not been able to sell their harvested paddy due to faults in tokens, reduced token periods and expired tokens.
On the other hand, paddy is lying in the threshing floor of many farmers, while in many cases the harvesting of paddy has been affected by the storm Yaas. Yet, there is no urgency shown to purchase the paddy. The peasants’ dissatisfaction is writ large. The farmers, led by the Atabira branch of the Odisha State Farmers' Organization, held a rally on Monday at the Bargarh District Supply Officer's Office.
Farmers squatted in the office premises demanding that Government procure paddy of all registered farmers in next three days, activate the canceled tokens, compensate rain-affected farmers and take action against the departmental staff involved in the token error.