Collector in Odisha goes undercover to investigate paddy procurement irregularities

Bhubaneswar, Feb 3: Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routrai recently disguised himself in shorts, a T-shirt, and a ‘gamcha’ around his neck to investigate allegations of ‘katni-chhatni’ (unfair price deductions) during paddy procurement at the Katasahi mandi in the Dhamnagar block.

Sources indicate that Routrai parked his vehicle some distance away and walked to the Katasahi Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) on Saturday. Wearing a cap and face mask to blend in as a farmer, he interacted with local farmers and closely observed the procurement process. He even attempted to sell paddy using the token of another farmer.

His suspicions were confirmed when a cooperative official informed him that approximately 8 kg of paddy would be deducted as wastage. Consequently, Routrai issued a show-cause notice to the relevant officials on the spot.

This decisive action came in response to ongoing complaints about farmers being exploited by the PACS and rice millers, despite previous meetings and directives from the district administration to curb such practices. The show-cause notice demanded a response from the officials within two days, warning of potential consequences for non-compliance.

This development follows a statement by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, who criticized the lack of cooperation from officials in addressing rice millers' control over paddy procurement and warned that actions would be taken against any officials found colluding with them.