Bubaneswar: Authorities in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district have ramped up measures to prevent the illegal transportation of paddy from neighbouring states ahead of 2025-26 Kharif procurement season.
In a letter dated December 18, Collector Hema Kanta Say has instructed SP Varun Guntupalli to station armed police personnel at strategic border check posts along the boundaries with Jharkhand and West Bengal to ensure that paddy from neighbouring states do not make way to the identified mandis in Mayurbhanj.
The move comes as Odisha provides higher Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,169-3,189, which includes input subsidy of Rs 800, for a quintal of paddy, depending on the variety, compared to Jharkhand and Benga, where it is fixed at Rs 2,450 and 2,369 per quintal respectively.
The central government has fixed the minimum support price for paddy for the 2025-26 season at Rs 2369 per quintal for the common variety and Rs 2389 per quintal for ‘A’ grade.
Officers fear that traders and farmers from outside Odisha could be tempted to route their produce through the state to benefit from the elevated rates.
To counter this, check posts will be operational on key connecting roads at vital entry points, including Palasmundali-Tukpalasia, Dhumsahi/Sirsa-Jamsola/Sarskana, Paktia-Deuli-Chaksuliapada, Chandu-Bandav, Tiring-Jadunathpur & Tiring, Bahalada-Nandabasa & Bhalupani, and Raruan-Benisagar & Chiruhatu. CCTV cameras are already in place at all identified border locations shared with Jharkhand and West Bengal to enable round-the-clock monitoring.
The Collector has urged the SP to arrange for armed officers and support staff to ensure robust enforcement at these sites.
This initiative aligns with broader state efforts to safeguard Odisha’s paddy procurement process, which targets substantial volumes while prioritising local farmers. Similar border vigilance measures have been implemented in the past to maintain the integrity of the system.