Bhubaneswar: Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Monday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, alleging widespread harassment of farmers at agricultural mandis.
He also accused the government of failing to honour its electoral promises related to paddy procurement.
In his letter, Patnaik said farmers across the State are facing “acute distress and systemic exploitation” during the ongoing kharif procurement season. Describing agriculture as the lifeline of Odisha, he claimed the procurement process has turned into a period of “profound struggle” due to administrative apathy and alleged violations of commitments made to farmers.
Referring to the BJP’s 2024 election manifesto, Patnaik pointed out that the party had promised enhanced Minimum Support Price mechanisms and an end to “Katni-Chhatni” (illegal deductions) practices.
However, he alleged that ground realities at mandis tell a different story, with farmers continuing to face arbitrary deductions during procurement.
The former CM claimed that despite repeated assurances of hassle-free procurement, farmers are allegedly subjected to deductions of 5 to 7 kilograms per quintal, often citing moisture content or quality issues. He said such practices are reportedly prevalent across many districts and, in some cases, involve alleged collusion between millers and local officials.
Patnaik questioned why “Katni-Chhatni” had not been stopped despite assurances made in the election manifesto and termed the situation an example of unfulfilled electoral promises.
He urged the State government to intervene urgently, restore transparency in procurement, and ensure that farmers receive justice in line with commitments made before the polls.
The letter comes amid growing concerns from farmer groups over procurement practices in the state, as the kharif season progresses. The State government has not yet issued an official response to the allegations raised by the leader of the Opposition.
