Chhendipada: Resentment brewed among farmers of Patrapada panchayat under this block in Angul district due to a faulty weighing machine during paddy procurement, Tuesday.
Angry farmers shunned the procurement and took back their produce from the mandi near Patrapada Seva Samanvaya Samiti office alleging defects in the weighing machines.
According to sources, paddy procurement began in the Samiti office as per government guidelines. However, farmers found that the two-needle weighing machines that were used to weigh paddy were faulty showing 3 to 4 kg less per quintal.
Following the allegations, the farmers stopped the millers from weighing the paddy. The authorities at the mandi, however, refuted the charges following which the farmers closed down the mandi.
This led to a halt in the procurement process. The farmers warned that they would not allow the procurement process until the machine was changed.
“The millers are saying that the weighing instrument was provided by Regulated Market Committee (RMC). There seems to be a reduction of up to three to four kilograms,” said Sushila Sahu, a farmer.
When contacted, the millers said since the RMC had provided the weighing machines there was no chance of them being faulty. If by any chance, there is any fault, the farmers should blame the RMC officials. We are not responsible for it, they added.
On the other hand, farmers alleged that the RMC officials and the millers were hand in gloves and were cheating them.
“Most of the time, the procurement process begins late. So, farmers suffer loss as they are forced to sell for middlemen at a lower price. If by any chance, the farmers wait for the mandis to open and try to sell their produce, then also we are cheated,” another farmer said.
The transport of bringing our produce to the procurement centre costs us more. Now, we have to take our paddy back due to the faulty machine and negligent attitude of the millers, the farmers lamented.
It may be noted that many farmers had been waiting for days in the mandis for the procurement. They demanded the administration to take immediate steps for the smooth procurement process.
The concerned authorities were not available for comments on the allegations levelled by the farmers.
PNN
