Bhubaneswar, July 3 (UDN): The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday demanded a high-level and impartial inquiry into the death of a farmer in Odisha’s Nuapada district, alleging that lapses in the paddy procurement process contributed to the tragic incident.
A BJD delegation, led by party Vice-President and former Minister Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, visited the family of the deceased farmer, Nepal Majhi, before meeting the Nuapada District Collector to submit a memorandum addressed to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.
The party urged the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the farmer’s death and fix responsibility if any negligence or administrative lapses are established. It also sought strict action against officials found accountable for irregularities in the procurement process.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, the BJD demanded adequate ex gratia assistance, a government job for one eligible family member, and free education for the farmer’s children, along with other financial support measures.
According to the party, Nepal Majhi had reportedly received a procurement token on May 30 to sell 36.96 quintals of paddy at a government mandi. However, the produce allegedly remained unsold for over three weeks due to delays and mismanagement in the procurement system, causing severe financial hardship and emotional distress. The farmer allegedly consumed poison and later succumbed.
The opposition party also called for an immediate extension of the paddy procurement period and urged the government to procure all paddy lying in mandis across Nuapada district without further delay. It demanded that procurement agencies assume full responsibility for the storage, lifting and transportation of farmers’ produce to prevent future hardships.
During its visit, the BJD delegation inspected several procurement centres, including those at Jadamunda, Dharambandh, Mota Nuapada and Beltukuri, where farmers reportedly raised concerns over delays in procurement, inadequate infrastructure and alleged irregularities in mandi operations.
The party appealed to the Governor to intervene and ensure corrective measures are taken to strengthen the paddy procurement system and safeguard the interests of farmers across the district.
The state government has not yet issued an official response to the allegations. The incident has once again brought the focus on the timely procurement of paddy and the need for an efficient and transparent marketing system for farmers in Odisha.
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