Balangir: Senior Lawmaker and Balangir MLA Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has written an urgent letter to Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi regarding the non-commencement of paddy procurement centres in Balangir district. Despite an assurance given in the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) meeting that procurement would begin by 5th December, centres remain inactive.
The lawmaker noted that while paddy harvesting is complete and the crop is market-ready, the absence of functional centres has left farmers without access to the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This delay is reportedly leading to distress sales, especially among small and marginal farmers who lack storage capacity and need immediate liquidity. Shri Singh Deo highlighted that this vacuum encourages illegal black marketing and the unauthorized lifting of paddy by agents, which undermines the state’s MSP policy.
In his appeal to the Chief Minister, Shri Singh Deo requested immediate intervention to operationalize all procurement centres in Balangir and ensure the timely issuance of tokens to registered farmers. He also called for strict action against middlemen and accountability for those who failed to adhere to the promised procurement timeline. Copies of the letter were also marked to the Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare and the District Collector of Balangir for necessary action.
In fact Shri Singh Deo visited the Kudasingha Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society (PACS) to address the escalating concerns of local farmers regarding the delay in paddy procurement.
Despite official assurances that procurement would commence on December 5, several centers across the Balangir district remain closed. This delay has created a critical situation for farmers who have already harvested their crops and are now facing the risk of distress sales.
Shri Singh Deo pointed out that the lack of active procurement centers is forcing farmers to sell their produce to agents and middlemen at prices significantly lower than the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
During his visit, the MLA questioned the government’s commitment to the farming community, asking if the administration truly stands with the farmers. He emphasized that farmers deserve the benefit of the MSP on the ground through functional systems rather than through unfulfilled promises.
After visiting the PACS, Shri Singh Deo has formally requested Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi to intervene and resolve the logistical issues immediately. The senior Lawmaker urged the state government to open all PACS and procurement centers without further delay, ensure the immediate issuance of all pending tokens, and guarantee that every farmer receives the full MSP for their hard-earned harvest.