In another scathing attack on the BJP-led government in Odisha, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has highlighted the plight of farmers grappling with a collapsed paddy procurement system.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter) on January 10, 2026, Patnaik described farmers enduring sub-zero temperatures while guarding their unsold paddy at mandis, accusing the government of unfulfilled promises and deceit.
ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭୁଶୁଡ଼ି ପଡ଼ିଛି ଧାନ ସଂଗ୍ରହ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା, ଖୋଦ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଦ୍ଵାରା ଚାଷୀ ପ୍ରତାରିତ, ଅସହାୟ ଓ ହତାଶ।
ଅସହ୍ୟ ଥଣ୍ଡା କାକର, ଶୀତରେ ଚାଷୀମାନେ ମଣ୍ଡିରେ ନିଜ ଅମଳ ଧାନକୁ ଜଗି ବସିଛନ୍ତି। ରାଜରାସ୍ତାରେ ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ସରକାର ଚାଷୀଙ୍କ ଧାନ କେବେ ଉଠାଇବେ?
ଚାଷୀଙ୍କୁ ଅନେକ ପ୍ରତିଶ୍ରୁତି ଦେଇ ବିଜେପିର ଡବଲ୍…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) January 10, 2026
The controversy stems from ongoing disruptions in the Kharif 2025-26 paddy procurement season, which began in late 2025. Farmers across districts like Bargarh, Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Sambalpur have reported delays, token distribution issues, and forced distress sales at below-minimum support prices (MSP). A recent rice millers’ strike over pending dues and milling charges halted lifting operations, exacerbating the crisis. Although the Odisha Millers’ Association called off the protest on January 8, 2026, following government assurances, residual problems persist, with farmers blocking roads and marching to collectors’ offices in protest.
Patnaik’s post, written in Odia, lambasted the BJP’s “double-engine” government—referring to its alliance with the central BJP—for promising bonuses on paddy purchases during elections but failing to deliver. “The paddy procurement system has completely collapsed in the state. Farmers are being cheated, helpless, and desperate,” he wrote. He further criticised the government for mocking protesting farmers as engaging in “nautanki” (drama) and questioned the absence of ministers at mandis despite assurances.
Echoing these sentiments, BJD leaders like Prasanna Acharya have warned of statewide protests, claiming the government’s Rs 800 per quintal input subsidy promise has turned into “betrayal and deception.”
The issue has sparked a political firestorm, with BJD vowing to stand with farmers and amplify their voices at all levels.
As Odisha’s agriculture-dependent economy faces scrutiny, the government’s ability to resolve these bottlenecks will be crucial in restoring farmer confidence ahead of the Rabi season.
ALSO READ: Naveen Patnaik Slams BJP Govt’s Policy U-Turns After PUC Fiasco
