NUAPADA : People of Bhanpur village under Beltukri police limits here allegedly ostracised a farmer, Brijlal Rana, for defying their diktat not to sell paddy stocks unless cent per cent compensation is paid by the State Government for crop loss.Unable to clear his debts, Rana dared against the villagers’ decision and sold his crop. Following the incident, the villagers ostracised Rana along with other members of his family, including his elderly mother, wife and two sons, sources said.
The farmer had cultivated paddy over 20 acres. However, scanty rainfall and pest attack took a toll on the paddy yield. Rana could get only 150 bags of paddy from the 20 acres, sources added.
Rana wanted to quickly repay the loan to avoid paying huge interest, including labour charges. Thus, he apparently sold about 70 bags of paddy at Kuliabandh Market Yard of Regulated Market Committee of Nuapada, sources said.
On Thursday night, a meeting was held in the village to discuss Rana’s defiance, shunning him socially. Anyone found maintaining ties with him would have to pay a fine worth `5001, it was decided at the meeting. After the villagers took the decision, Brijlal and his family were abandoned.
On Friday, Rana submitted a written complaint to District Collector Poma Tudu and tehsildar Jayashree Padhi. The farmer said he was absent from the meeting when the villagers had decided not to sell paddy at Market Yard. Rana said he sold his crops out of ignorance.
“There is no connection between the payment of input subsidy over crop loss and sale of paddy. The crop loss was assessed as per the provision of Relief Code and input subsidy was being provided, taking into consideration the extent of crop loss. None can be ostracised for selling the crop. Steps have been initiated to form a Peace Committee and settle the matter amicably towards restoration of normalcy in the village,” Nuapada Sub-Collector Sarat Kumar Srichandan said.