Bhadrak: Farmers of Bhadrak district are worried over the delay in paddy procurement. Though the procurement was supposed to be conducted through 108 cooperative societies, many of the societies are not functioning, it was alleged.
Three panchayats and six wards of Bhadrak municipality are dependent on these cooperative societies for paddy procurement.
However, the delay in procurement process has left the farmers in severe distress.
The farmers have also submitted a memorandum to the district Collector regarding this issue, but no step has yet been taken.
“Mandis are not yet operational. Though we have informed the district administration about our problems, they haven’t taken any action. The concerned authorities asked us to sell our paddy in Berhampur. But it’s very tough for us to cover a long distance and bear transport expenses,” said a farmer.
“Our paddy stocks are lying in open and getting affected due to unseasonal rain. We are facing a tough time due to the delay in opening of mandi,” alleged another farmer.
Bhadrak Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Swatibala Mohapatra said that mandis are not opened yet as a case regarding appointment of new secretary of the society is pending before the High Court.
“Despite the High Court ordered for the removal of the present secretary, the society is not agreeing to it. We can’t act against the High Court order,” she said.
“Therefore, paddy procurement can be arranged at other places as per the convenience of the farmers,” she added.
PNN