Sambalpur: Intensifying the stir over delay in paddy procurement process in Odisha, agitating farmers on Monday called for a shutdown in Sambalpur district on December 19 demanding quick steps for smooth token distribution.
Giving the bandh call, the Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti (POKSSS) alleged that farmers have not been issued adequate tokens causing problems in selling their produce though mandis have been opened. They allege irregularities in the process of paddy procurement which has reached a breaking point.
Notably, a large number of farmers, under the banner of POKSSS, had staged a protest over the issue for 8 hours on December 12. The district administration had stepped in to assure the farmers that their issues will be addressed. The district administration had assured farmers they would be issued adequate tokens to sell their produce at the earliest. The farmers now allege that their demands have not yet been met.
The system of issuing token to farmers to sell their produce is being followed in Sambalpur district. While around 54,000 farmers have received tokens so far, nearly 10,000 others are yet to get any token making it difficult for them to sell their produce as per their allegations. It is over this issue that farmers had staged a protest and blocked roads on December 12. They had called off their agitation after assurances from the district administration to resolve their issues.
The agitating farmers now allege that their demands have not been met for which they have called for Sambalpur bandh on December 19. They have asked other organisations to support their bandh call.
