Farmers sore as mandis closed before deadline

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Bargarh: The deadline for paddy procurement in the current Khariff season in Bargarh district is yet to be over, but many mandis (procurement centres) have already been closed, leaving scores of farmers in the lurch.
This has led to resentment among farmers in Gaisilat and Chantipalli under Gaisilat block.
As a result, harvested paddy has been left in the yards of farmers who have to keep a watch on the produce amid chilly weather, according to a report. Upset over the problem, some farmers took up the issue with the administration Tuesday. The farmers wanted to meet Collector Indramani Tripathy, but the latter was not available.
The farmers then went to the District Rural Development Agency office where they discussed the issue with Additional District Magistrate Tapiram Majhi and District Civil Supplies Officer Srikar Majhi. They submitted a memorandum urging the ADM, to redress the bottlenecks in paddy procurement. In the memorandum, they stated that many farmers in Gaisilat and Chantipalli have not yet sold their paddy while mandis in the area have been closed since January 20. In such a situation, farmers are in a fix and urged the Collector to take immediate steps for resolution of the issue.
Meanwhile, a report from Bheden said farmers in Ainthapalli panchayat were upset over the unavailability of crop insurance. They held a meeting at Tentulitirka market a couple of days ago. Hundreds of farmers and members of the Jay Kisan Andolan alleged farmers have not received insurance for the crop loss of last year. They have got only input subsidy.
The farmers further alleged that though they have been frequenting the collectorate on the crop insurance issue, their problem has remained unresolved. Farmers voiced their discontent and raised the demands for hike in paddy Minimum Support Price (MSP) and pension.