Paddy procurement crisis: Naveen urges Odisha CM to act on farmers’ distress

Bhubaneswar, Feb 9 : Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed serious concern over the hardships faced by farmers in Odisha during the ongoing Kharif paddy procurement process, alleging widespread exploitation, administrative apathy and failure of governance.

Drawing the attention of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to the issue, Patnaik urged the state government to take immediate corrective measures to address the growing distress among farmers. In a letter to the Chief Minister, the former Chief Minister said the paddy procurement process has turned into a major struggle due to the government’s inability to honour the promises made in the BJP’s 2024 election manifesto.

Patnaik recalled that the BJP had assured an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy and the complete abolition of deductions, commonly known as katni-chatni. Contrary to these assurances, he alleged that mandis across the state have become centres of harassment, with farmers facing arbitrary deductions of 5 to 7 kg per quintal on the grounds of moisture content and quality.

He claimed that in several districts such practices have emerged as a major source of farmer distress, allegedly driven by collusion between millers and local officials, depriving cultivators of the fair value of their produce. Questioning the government’s commitment, Patnaik asked when the ruling party would fulfil its electoral promises and deliver justice to farmers.

The Leader of Opposition also criticised the imposition of a ceiling of 150 quintals per farmer for the input subsidy of Rs 800 per quintal, calling it a violation of the assurance made to all farmers. He said the decision unfairly penalises higher-producing farmers and contradicts the BJP’s own resolution document, while also pointing to the rollback from the promise of an input subsidy of Rs 3,100 per quintal on the entire produce.

Highlighting operational shortcomings, Patnaik said the procurement process is moving at a very slow pace, forcing farmers to stay awake at night to guard their produce from dew and theft. He cited the lack of basic amenities at mandis, failure of the token system and unreasonable delays in payment as factors pushing farmers towards agitation.

He further alleged that despite promises of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments within 48 hours of procurement, farmers in most cases are being forced to wait for more than a week. Patnaik said deductions, the 150-quintal ceiling and delays in procurement and payment have created an abnormal situation, driving farmers into the hands of unscrupulous traders and millers.

Seeking urgent intervention, Patnaik urged the Chief Minister to deploy special squads at mandis to stop illegal deductions, take strict action against erring mill owners and officials, withdraw the 150-quintal ceiling on input subsidy, and ensure procurement of the entire produce from all registered farmers. He also demanded that payments be made through DBT within 48 hours and that 100 per cent lifting of paddy lying in the open at mandis be completed within 72 hours.

Warning that unresolved grievances are fuelling farmer movements across the state, the Leader of Opposition called on the government to take immediate, priority-based action to resolve farmers’ issues and fulfil its election commitments.