Corruption in the paddy procurement process in Bargarh district is exposed now. The farmers of Attabira are preparing themselves for agitation to combat the joint exploitation of administration and millers of Bargarh.
In the district level joint meeting decision was taken to purchase 32 sacks per acre. But the farmers met the Northern Revenue Commissioner and settled for 35 sacks per acre. But suddenly the Additional District Magistrate declared that it has been reduced to 32 sacks per acre. This declaration has again set unhappiness amongst the farmers of the district. The district administration has opened the market yard since May 1st fearing agitation but not a single sack has been purchased. The purchasing authority, neither Civil Supply Corporation Limited nor the MARKFED, nobody is reaching to the market yard.
Now the farmers are questioning why the administration reduced the purchasing capacity from 35 sacks per acre to 32 sacks per acre. Whom the government is providing benefit? The farmers are suspecting hidden corruption in this declaration. The farmers of Attabira and Goadbhaga are saying the capacity is reduced because the farmers will be compelled to sale the remaining paddy to the middle man in under-rate.
Though the Additional District Magistrate has promised to start procurement from 8th May but the farmers are saying if there will be further delay in procurement then they will start agitation and block the National Highway with paddy sacks.
Further the farmers are demanding that, why paddy is lying for 7 long days here and who is the purchasing authority? The Civil Supply Corporation Limited, MARKFED or the millers? Let the administration give clarification. Further they added, the administration has employed millers to purchase the paddy whereas the purchasing authority exists only in papers and they are taking commission. It is a joint corruption by administration, purchasing authority and millers, says the anguished farmers.
