Dhusuri, Jan 28: Farmers under the Palasahi Seva Samiti in Dhamnagar block have been waiting for a long time to sell their paddy. Although more than 100 farmers had registered, sale dates were fixed for over 300 farmers. However, even after the cooperative society secretary opened the paddy mandi, assessed the quality of the paddy, and informed the concerned departmental officials, procurement has not yet begun.
The token dates fixed for the sale of paddy for hundreds of farmers are about to expire, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among them. The farmers have clearly stated that if paddy procurement does not begin by the 26th, they will stage a road blockade on the Bhadrak–Aradi State Highway at Betaligaan on the 27th by placing paddy sacks on the road.
Farmer leaders including Amar Kumar Sahu, Sadhu Charan Sahu, Subrata Das, Dhaneswar Das, Jhili Sahu, Brajendra Mohanty, Rabindra Sahu, Alok Kumar Rout, Anil Kumar Das, Trilochan Das, Bibhuti Bhushan Barik, Raghunath Jena, Kailash Barik, Manibhadra Sahu, Hridananda Parida, Ramesh Sahu, and Nilamani Malik stated, “Due to the delay in paddy procurement, we are facing serious difficulties. If procurement does not start by the 26th, we will be compelled to sit on the road in protest.”
The farmers have submitted a memorandum to the District Collector seeking a resolution to the issue. Their main demands include the immediate commencement of paddy procurement, extension of the token dates, and ensuring a fair price for their produce.
The growing dissatisfaction among farmers under the Palasahi Seva Samiti in Dhamnagar block is now turning into a movement. If procurement is further delayed, they are prepared to stage a road protest on the 27th.