Bhadrak: Tension escalated in Bhadrak on Friday as farmers, under the banner of the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan, intensified their protest against alleged irregularities in paddy procurement.
In a dramatic show of dissent, farmers arrived at the District Collector’s office with tractor-loads of paddy and dumped sacks within the premises, accusing millers of arbitrary deductions and refusal to lift their produce.
The protest gained momentum with the arrival of Sangathan president Akshay Kumar, who joined the agitation and expressed strong resentment over what he described as the worsening plight of farmers in the district. He alleged that millers are deducting between 8 kg and 12 kg of paddy per quintal, calling the practice unjust and exploitative. In some cases, deductions reportedly reached up to 13 kg per quintal.
Kumar further claimed that the government has failed to rein in the alleged arbitrariness of millers. “Farmers are facing their worst distress. Instead of addressing the ground reality, authorities are providing misleading information,” he said, adding that the movement would be intensified if immediate corrective measures are not taken.
According to the protesting farmers, millers in Bhadrak district have refused to lift paddy from mandis, leaving large quantities of produce piled up at procurement centres. They also alleged that farmers are not being issued proper receipts for the procured paddy and are not being provided transportation facilities, further aggravating their difficulties.
The Sangathan accused the departmental minister and district administration of failing to conduct field visits to assess the actual situation. They alleged that, rather than acknowledging the crisis, officials are shifting the blame onto farmers.
Farmers have warned that they will continue their dharna in front of the Collector’s office until their grievances are addressed and fair procurement practices are ensured.
