Chhatrapur: Even as the government guidelines say transfer money to savings bank account of farmers must be effected online within 24 hours from the time of shifting of paddy from mandis, many farmers are yet to get their dues even after years.
On top of this have come problems such as pest-attack and drought like condition. Sources said farmers will anyway suffer even if they reap a bumper crop.
A case in point is the condition of seven farmers of Polasara block who are yet to get their dues even a year after they sold their produce.
Demanding their money, irate farmers Wednesday picketed before the office of the district civil supply officer (CSO). They staged a sit-in protest and demanded action against Santosh Das, proprietor of ‘Om Rice Mills’ in Chhatrapur who had bought their paddy.
According to farmers, Das had bought 725.12 quintals of paddy from seven farmers in 2016 on behalf of MARKFED promising to pay their dues in a few days.
He had bought 80.35 quintals from Dandapani Pradhan, 62.28 quintals from Bidhyadhar Pradhan, 93.69 quintals from Kapil Sahu, 117.33 quintals from Bidhyadhar Sahu, 121.33 quintals from Dilip Kumar Mohapatra, 206.50 quinitals from Bipin Bihari Pradhan and 43.64 quintals from Makardwaj Barad.
However, Das began to ignore these farmers and kept dilly dallying over their payments. Frustrated, the farmers approached district collector Prem Chandra Chaudhary and narrated their ordeal who ordered a probe.
As per the collector’s order, former Chhatrapur additional civil supply officer launched a probe and submitted a report November 8, 2016. Finding the complaint true, the collector then ordered a case to be lodged against Das.
Accordingly, CSO sent a letter to the additional supply officer and Polasara marketing inspector to take action against Das as per law on the orders of the collector. However, no actions were taken against Das.
He again sent letters March 7 and May 22, but to no avail. No action has been taken while the farmers are waiting for their money till date.
The agitators complained that no action was taken against Das even after orders from the collector. They warned of a mass demonstration if they were not given their dues.
They relented after CSO Bishnu Prasad Supkar assured to take action after a discussion with Das and the block marketing inspector. They warned of a mass protest Thursday if no steps were taken. PNN
