A farmer’s death in Kendrapara district has highlighted ongoing challenges in Odisha’s paddy procurement process, with family members attributing it to severe stress and harassment during the sale of his harvest.
Trilochan Nayak from Junagadi village under Rajnagar block reportedly died on Wednesday night after suffering chest pain upon returning home. According to his family, Nayak had endured prolonged delays in selling his paddy. He received a token on January 16 but faced repeated hurdles, with his produce not accepted at the local cooperative society mandi even as the procurement deadline of February 15 approached.
After persistent efforts, he was directed to the Ramchandi rice mill under Dangamal Cooperative Society. There, he waited three days in harsh conditions before unloading his stock. Reports indicate he incurred high costs — Rs 15,000 in vehicle hire for three days and Rs 3,000 for unloading — totalling Rs 18,000. Additionally, authorities allegedly deducted 9 kg per quintal from his paddy during the process.
Exhausted and distressed from the ordeal, Nayak returned home and collapsed due to chest pain, leading to his death that night. Family members claim the mental and physical strain from the delays, deductions, and expenses contributed directly to his fatal heart attack.
Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samant addressed the incident on Friday, dismissing claims that waiting caused the death. “I learned about this from newspapers and TV. It says he waited six days, but no one dies just from waiting,” he said. He suggested underlying health issues or a heart attack were responsible, adding that the true facts would emerge from an investigation he has ordered departmental officials to conduct.
The minister further stated that earlier procurement delays were due to space constraints at mills, but the situation has now normalised. “For the last three days, paddy has been procured smoothly without any issues,” he asserted.
Official data from the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department indicates that, as of Friday, 65.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been procured from 15.45 lakh farmers, with ₹19,200 crore paid to them.
The incident has drawn attention to broader farmer grievances in the state during the kharif procurement season, including delays, arbitrary deductions, and logistical challenges. An administrative probe is underway to determine the exact circumstances.
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