Delay in procurement due to the online token system has forced the farmers of Odisha to sell paddy in neighbouring State of Chhattisgarh. In Kalahandi, paddy was to be procured at Rs 1,815 a quintal from November 1, but till date 20 PACSs out of 74 have been opened officially through which paddy is to be purchased.
In Chhattisgarh, paddy procurement is scheduled to begin from December 1 and it has decided to purchase paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal from the farmers. Sources said the difference amount of Rs 685 has lured the farmers as well as middlemen in Odisha for illegal transportation of paddy to the neighbouring State.
According to report, the Chhattisgarh Government has seized 7,400 quintals paddy along with vehicles in the last three days. 3,300 quintals paddy was seized at the check post of Gariaband district and 4,100 quintals in Mahasamund district. Both districts are sharing Odisha border.
Gariaband Collector Shyam Dhawde told mediapersons that paddy was being illegally transported from Kalahandi, Nuapada and Nabarangpur districts. The administration has formed different teams to check the illegal sale. “We have seized the paddy at the check posts where small farmers along with middlemen were caught. Action has been taken against them. We have also ordered our officials to be vigilant in nine other check posts,” the Collector said.
Kalahandi Collector Dr Gavali Parag Harshad, however, said a farmer can sell paddy anywhere. “We don’t have any provision to put a check on the farmers,” he added.