Bhubaneswar, 8/1 : In a significant reprieve for lakhs of farmers across the state, the paddy procurement process in Odisha is set to return to normalcy today after the All Odisha Rice Millers Association (AORMA) announced the withdrawal of its agitation. The breakthrough came late Wednesday evening following a high-level discussion between the millers’ body and the State Government, ending a stalemate that had paralyzed mandis in 19 districts for nearly four days.
The deadlock, which saw millers refusing to lift paddy over pending dues and operational demands, had left thousands of farmers stranded at market yards, braving the winter chill with their harvest. The resolution is particularly timely, coming just days before the harvest festival of Makar Sankranti.
The Truce: 15-Day Ultimatum
The thaw in relations occurred after Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra assured the association that their primary grievances would be addressed. According to AORMA Secretary Laxminarayan Deepak Ranjan Dash, the government has accepted the key demand regarding the release of pending custody and maintenance charges for the Kharif Marketing Seasons (KMS) 2023-24 and 2024-25.
“The government has issued an official letter committing to clear the pending custody maintenance dues, totaling approximately Rs 160 crore, within the next seven days,” Dash informed the press. Consequently, millers have agreed to resume lifting paddy immediately. However, the association has issued a strict 15-day ultimatum: if the remaining demands—specifically regarding the revision of transportation charges and the restoration of driage norms for ‘Arua’ rice—are not met within this period, the agitation will intensify.
Government Stance and Farmer Relief
Minister Krushna Chandra Patra confirmed that normalcy has been restored. “We have agreed to most of the demands, including the maintenance charges. The demand to hike transport rates will be finalized after a detailed meeting. Our priority is the farmer, and we are ensuring that procurement continues smoothly in all 19 districts,” Patra stated.
Official data reveals that despite the disruptions, the state has managed to procure over 14 lakh metric tonnes of paddy so far, disbursing approximately Rs 891 crore as input assistance directly to farmers’ accounts.
The ‘Arua’ Contention
While the immediate crisis is averted, the technical issue of ‘driage’ remains a sticking point. Millers argue that procuring paddy at 17% moisture and delivering rice at 14% results in a 3% weight loss, for which the current compensation of 0.078% is grossly inadequate compared to the previous 1%. The government has promised to review this technicality within the fortnight window.
For now, the mandis are buzzing with activity again, and the looming shadow over the Kharif procurement season has lifted, allowing the state’s agrarian community to prepare for Makar Sankranti with renewed optimism.
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