Farmers protest paddy non-procurement in Kalahandi

Dharmagarh, Jun 26: Non-procurement of paddy at Mandis in Dharmagarh sub-division in Kalahandi district has triggered anguish among farmers and forced them to stage dharna at different places in the area.

According to reports, farmers have sat on dharna at different places, demanding re-activation of tokens and early procurement of paddy from them at all Mandis in the area.

“Minimum 50,000 quintals of paddy have piled up at different Mandis in Dharmgarh sub-division area for over a month. While Government didn’t procure paddy, the validity of tokens issued to farmers have expired. In most of the places, paddy has sprouted after being wet in rainwater,” according to information.

Expressing unhappiness, farmers alleged that the State Government is responsible for sprouting of paddy at different places. They demanded that tokens are revalidated and their paddy procured at the earliest without any katni-chhatni (reduction) in the name of FAQ.

“Our paddy has piled up under open sky. It is being wet with rainwater. If the Government doesn’t procure them early, we will not be able to provide food to our children. Loan burden will force us to commit suicide,” said many disgusted farmers.