Many farmers of Umarkote staged a protest rally here on Saturday afternoon alleging monopoly of the millers during the procurement of paddy in mandis.
The farmers alleged that those who have harvested more paddy are being harassed as they are unable to sell their produce.
The procurement authorities, instead of procuring paddy from the market yard, are allowing the millers by giving them a free hand to fix the price. As a result, the millers are forcing the farmers to sell the paddy at Rs 5-6 less than the MSP for per kg under the pretext of FAQ determination.
This incident turned worse on Saturday when some farmers refused the deduction of the price and protested outright procurement of paddy by millers. The irate farmers blocked the Umarkote-Nabarangpur State highway for several hours.
The administration has employed millers to purchase the paddy whereas the purchasing authority exists only in pen and papers. The officials are taking commission for it. It is a joint corruption by administration, purchasing authority and millers, alleged the anguished farmers.
later, the local police and the tehsildar rushed to the spot and after several hours of discussion, the agitators were calmed down.