Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 27:

The representatives of Odisha Congress Farmers’ Cell today met Governor SC Jamir highlighting the distress sale of paddy in the state.

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Led by the cell in-charge Amiya Patnaik, the 15-member delegate submitted Jamir a memorandum seeking better procurement facilities and higher quantities of procurement among others.

“Today, we met the Governor and sought his intervention to protect the interest of the farmers of the state. The State Government has gone back on its commitments on paddy procurement. We have submitted a memorandum requesting him to advise the government to take necessary steps,” said Patnaik.

The delegates further highlighted that even though the paddy cultivation has brought in good results in the state owing to good rains, the lower quantities of procurement is giving rise to distress sale.

"As many as 20-30 quintal of paddy have been harvested per acre in most places. However, the government is procuring only 18 quintals from irrigated areas and 12 quintals from non-irrigated areas leading to distress sale," Patnaik explained.