Sambalpur farmers block NH-53 for 10 hours over paddy procurement ‘flaws’

Agitation ends after officials assure smooth lifting of stock; technical issues in P-PAS system cited.

Farmers staging blockade on NH-53 near Sindurpankh chowk on Monday | Express

SAMBALPUR: Traffic on National Highway-53 came to a grinding halt on Monday as farmers of Sambalpur staged a 10-hour-long protest near Sindurpankh chowk alleging irregularities in the ongoing paddy procurement process.

At around 10 am, hundreds of farmers from across the district blocked the NH-53 and staged an economic blockade, stopping goods carriers.

The agitating farmers alleged widespread irregularities at mandis since paddy procurement officially commenced on November 28. They said millers were not lifting paddy from market yards, leading to piling up of stocks. Several cultivators also claimed of being turned away by PACS staff as their names were not reflecting on the P-PAS system.

Sanat Mishra, a farmer from Bhikampur under Bishalkhinda mandi, said he was unable to sell his paddy as the system did not display his name. “How are we supposed to sell our produce if the online system fails? Farmers are left with no choice but to protest,” he said.

President of Sambalpur Zilla Krushak Surakhya Sangathan Byomkesh Thakur alleged that mismanagement has continued since the first day of procurement. “Names of farmers are not appearing online, tokens have not been issued to many, and millers are not lifting stock. After waiting for days, we were forced to take to the streets,” he said.

As the agitation led to long queues of heavy vehicles on both sides of the highway, Sambalpur sub-collector Pushpanjali Panda and senior police officials reached the spot to bring the situation under control.

The sub-collector acknowledged the technical issues being faced while allocating farmers to specific millers under the P-PAS system.

“The issues have been fixed and the agreement executed. The procurement won’t be delayed any more from Tuesday. The dumped paddy will be procured in full swing to make up for the delay,” she said.

The protest was called off at around 7.30 pm after officials assured the farmers that procurement would resume smoothly without any hassle from Tuesday.