The farmers here have been repeatedly complaining about irregularities in paddy procurement but the district administration has just lent a deaf ear.
The farmers alleged that some Regulated Market Committee (RMC) officials, paddy purchasing agents, millers and Dalals are hand in glove in the corruption in paddy procurement during the Rabi season and sought action against them. According to sources, under the corrupt practices, paddy did not come to the Mandis, rather the millers directly got it. The venal staff members made false entries and managed to earn lakhs of rupees by the way. It is alleged that for making the irregularities, the staff members got Rs15 to Rs 20 per quintal of paddy.
Because of the predominance of the millers, the farmers were forced to go for distress sale. Paddy was also shifted secretly to other districts in a secret manner. Although the RMC has opened check posts for controlling the illegal shifting of paddy to other districts, they did not prove to be effective because of the corrupt officials.
Paddy in large quantity was transported illegally from Attabira and Bheden blocks to rice mill of Sambalpur district. However, despite repeated complaints by the farmers on the irregularities, no step was taken by the district administration, said Gopal Bhoi, a farmer here.