While more than 51,614 bags of paddy have been stocked at Attabira RMC, two other market yards, Bargarh and Padampur RMCs, are yet to start functioning in Bargarh district.
The market yards for paddy in Bargarh district launched on November 14 in order to procure paddy from farmers in smooth manner. The administration is yet to lift paddy from the yards.
On the opening day, only 2,299 quintals of paddy were lifted from farmers from across the district.
Farmers at many places in the district have alleged that the administration is not lifting paddy from them. At some other places, farmers have also alleged that the purchase is falsely being recorded.
Now, the dalals (middlemen) are purchasing paddy from farmers at far lesser prices than the minimum support price (MSP). “Due to distress sale, millers are making huge profits,” said members of Farmers Union of Barghar district.
The union members led by Dilip Dhara and Ramchandra Mishra have threatened to take to the streets if the administration doesn’t procure paddy from farmers at the MSP soon.