Jeypore: The Congress organised a road blockade alleging massive irregularities in the procurement of paddy during the current Kharif Marketing Season (KMS).
The party alleged that even after a month since market yards were opened at 58 places in the district, procurement of paddy is getting delayed due to inadequate infrastructure and middlemen. Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said middlemen were exploiting marginal farmers at the markets.
They buy paddy from small and marginal farmers at a price at much lower than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the government, he said.
Bahinipati asked the administration to take immediate steps to remove middlemen from the markets. He added that although Regional Marketing Committees (RMCs) were given the task of organising markets, they are not providing infrastructure for that.
The RMC has no grader machines to check paddy quality and officials do not make even a semblance of inspection, he said.
Bahinipati said 800 quintals of paddy have been procured in the district against a target of 14 lakh quintals. He said that he would be forced to call a Koraput bandh if the issue is not resolved soon.
When contacted, Jeypore Sub Collecter Lokanath Dalabehera said steps are being taken to streamline the markets.
“We are holding talks with both farmers and millers to resolve the issue and we are hopeful of a solution.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of farmers blocked roads and shut down shops in the interior pockets of the district protesting the delay and irregularities in paddy procurement. Town IIC Baleswar Gidhi said adequate security forces have been deployed to enforce law and order.
PNN