Bhubaneswar, Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has written a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, alleging a complete breakdown in the state’s ongoing Kharif paddy procurement process.
Naveen described the current procurement season as a period of “profound struggle” for farmers and blamed it on administrative apathy and the BJP government’s failure to deliver on its 2024 election promises.
He noted that a major grievance centers on the persistent practice of “katni chhatni”, arbitrary and illegal deductions from farmers’ produce. “During the 2024 elections, you made solemn commitments to the farming community regarding enhanced MSP and stopping of Katni-Chhatni. However, the ground reality across Mandis tells a story of betrayal,” he wrote.
The LoP alleged that 5–7 kg or more per quintal is being deducted on vague pretexts such as excess moisture or substandard quality. “In many districts, this exploitation is happening in broad daylight, often with the alleged collusion of millers and local officials, forcing farmers into a “mutual agreement” that robs them of their hard-earned income. When can this ‘Katni Chhatni’ be stopped as per your election manifesto?” he asked.
Naveen also questioned the cap on input subsidy at 150 quintals per farmer. The BJP had promised an input subsidy of Rs 800 per quintal for the entire produce, but the ceiling has penalised productive farmers and violated the assurances made during the 2024 elections, he said, calling it “a clear breach of trust”.
He further stated that the Rs 69 in minimum support price of paddy by the Centre has not fully benefited the farmers of Odisha due to this restriction.
The BJD supremo also pointed to on-ground chaos at procurement sites, where slow lifting of paddy left farmers guarding their harvested produce overnight in harsh winter conditions to prevent theft or spoilage. “The lack of basic facilities, the failure of the token system, and the delay in payment, which was promised within 48 hours through DBT but is taking weeks in many cases, have pushed the farmers to the brink of agitation,” he further claimed.
These delays, combined with arbitrary deductions, are forcing indebted farmers into distress sales to private traders and millers at rates well below the official MSP, he alleged.
Calling for urgent intervention, the former CM demanding deployment of special squads to stop ‘katni chhatni’, lifting the 150-quintal ceiling on input subsidy, ensuring payment to farmers within 48 hours of procurement, and guaranteeing 100 per cent lifting of paddy, especially stock lying in the open, within 72 hours.
“Failure to address these grievances will leave the farming community with no choice but to intensify their protests across the state. I hope your government will rise above rhetoric and fulfill its promises to the farmers of Odisha,” Naveen added.
