Padmapur: Even as paddy procurement has started since November 14 in this sub-division of Bargarh district, about two lakh paddy packets were reportedly still lying in open and unsold in various procurement centres, leaving the farmers distraught. While 57 procurement centres were supposed to be opened in the sub-division, only 32 have been opened so far.
The recent low pressure-triggered inclement weather forced the farmers to bring their paddy crop to the procurement centres. But in these market yards, thousands of packets of paddy are yet to be lifted by the millers. The problem is acute in remote and Maoist-infested areas of the sub-division.
The farmers of Bijepur, Ghens and Sohela blocks expressed concerns for the delay in procurement. On the other hand, it was alleged that the millers were not lifting paddy as they were yet to be given targets by the civil supplies department, forcing farmers to resort to distress sale.
It was also alleged that middlemen were also camping in these areas to cash in on the situation. They reportedly purchase paddy from farmers at prices much lower than the government-fixed minimum support price. When contacted, assistant civil supplies officer Sambhu Prasad Haripal said he was in a meeting, while district civil supplies officer Srikara Majhi was not available for comment. PNN
