Padmapur: Farmers feared distress sale of paddy in this sub-division of Bargarh district as authorities failed to open mandies November 7—the designated day for procuring paddy.
Some farmers were forced to sell paddy at a rate much below the minimum support price (MSP) and cashing in on the situation, traders snapped up paddy from farmers. It was alleged that farmers sell paddy at Rs 1,100 per quintal to traders who sell it at Rs 1, 350 to Rs 1,400 at Chhattisgarh.
Illegal procurement has already started in some parts of the sub-division while farmers expressed helplessness with the administration’s failure to open mandies. “If the administration continues to dilly dally over this, farmers would surely resort to distress sale,” they alleged.
The administration was supposed to open paddy procurement centres at 57 places in six blocks of the sub division November 7.
When asked about the delay, Dharmendra Bhoi, assistant manager of a co-operative society, said agreements have been signed with primary agricultural co-operative societies (PACS). However, as data uploading process has not ended yet, things have been delayed.
When contacted, Tapiram Majhi, sub collector, said there was delay in opening of mandis. However, within three to four days, they will open. The supply department has been asked to take steps to check paddy from being transported to other states, he added. PNN
