Hundreds of farmers from across Jagatsingpur district under the banner of the Jagatsinghpur Zila Krushak Sangathan staged a demonstration in front of the Agro Industries Corporation office here seeking a probe into the alleged green gram seed supply fraud and action against officials and dealers. Sangathan president Jadunath Jena and lawyer Basudev alleged that the Agro Industries Corporation was yet to provide allocated 200 quintals of subsidised green gram seed to farmers though the stipulated supply period has passed. Some Agriculture and Agro Industries officials along with a few dealers have misappropriated the seed.
“It is evident from the fact that green gram seed is now adequately available in the market and being sold at Rs80 to Rs90 per kg. The subsidised rate is Rs50 only,” they said. They further informed that even if it was brought to the district Collector and the BDOs yet it yielded no result. Though Agriculture Deputy Director Sachida Nanda Tripathy went to them and showed them the list of beneficiaries given subsidised gram seed, but to no avail. The Sangathan members said it was a false list and demanded for a probe into the matter.
They called off the agitation after Nanda assured them of a probe.