Bargarh, 13th Nov 2025: In Bargarh district, the kharif paddy procurement operation has gained momentum. Farmers across all regions of the district are beginning to sell paddy. On the other hand, the opening of mandis is still a distant prospect, and the district-level Paddy Procurement Committee (GIPC) meeting has not yet taken place. It has been informed that this meeting will be held on the 10th from 10 am to 11 am in the conference hall at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
During this meeting, policies regarding the opening of mandis, dates, and other arrangements will be decided. However, since the meeting may not be held on the 8th, it is expected that mandis may gradually open in the district by the last week of this month, probably starting from the 24th. The delay in opening mandis has kept workers busy in the paddy procurement process.
Farmers are increasingly worried about selling their paddy. Many farmers in the district have been excluded from the registration process for paddy sale, which has intensified their concern. Meanwhile, traders have become active, and because the mandis have not opened, some farmers are forced to sell at lower rates. Traders are observed to be buying paddy easily using trucks and tractors. This inactivity and delay by public representatives and district supply officials has surprised many.
As a result, farmers’ agitation is rising due to administrative inaction and indifference in the paddy procurement process. On the 8th, a large farmers’ gathering is scheduled at Padmapur. Farmers excluded from registration and repeated lack of attention from the government have prompted farmer organizations to prepare to strongly oppose the GIPC meeting scheduled for the 10th.
Moreover, the farmer organizations have warned that if all farmers’ salable paddy is not purchased or if procurement is mismanaged, there will be public protests starting from local MPs, MLAs’ houses, and revenue offices, extending to primary agricultural cooperative societies, tehsildars, cooperative sub-registrars, chief district supply officers, and finally the DC office. A few days ago, during a press conference in Bargarh, a joint farmers’ organization declared this. They also stated that the rice stored in godowns may rot or spoil if not purchased and processed.
Observing this, farmer organizations have issued warnings to the government that the procurement should start immediately, before paddy rots. The government has also started sending tractors to farmers for paddy procurement.
The All Odisha Millers’ Association has warned that if various demands are not met, they will not cooperate in paddy purchase. Considering these developments, the paddy procurement process this year is expected to be more complicated compared to previous years, and farmers’ agitation is also expected to intensify.
Pressure on farmer leaders regarding the mismanagement of paddy procurement is being widely discussed in the district.
The joint farmers’ organization has identified the following leaders as habitual troublemakers: Utpan Kumar Bhui, Sudam Patra, Karan Sahu, Abhimanyu Pradhan, Shankar Khamari. Cases under Section 129 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been filed against them. Upon receiving notice, these farmer leaders have appeared before sub-divisional magistrates to present their side.
Notice for the GIPC Meeting
To attend the GIPC meeting, letters have been sent to the Chief District Supply Officer, administrative officials, representatives of farmers and millers, and divisional officers.
Currently, discussion is ongoing regarding the letters. Around 20 people reportedly received these letters. The letters included additional names such as the District Collector, Chairperson of Zilla Parishad, Sub-Collector, City DST Circle Joint Commissioner, Divisional Manager of FCI, TIACS, CDO, DWO, Mission Shakti DPC, Lead Bank Manager, RMC Editor, Executive Engineer of Minor Irrigation Department, Padmapur Ward President, three farmer representatives—Keshab Pradhan, Halpani Majhi, Biren Kar—and three millers—Jayprakash Lath, Shyamsundar Agrawal, Ramakant Dhar.
However, the letters did not include the district’s MLA, MP, or Collector. Previously, the GIPC meetings were held under the chairmanship of the District Collector, and all MLAs, MPs, and Zilla Parishad chairpersons were invited. This omission has intensified discussions. Consequently, there is speculation about whether these officials will attend the meeting. There is also discussion that they may receive another letter or their names may be deliberately left out to keep them away from the potential farmers’ agitation on the meeting day.
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