Odisha: Protesting farmers block National Highway over token system for paddy procurement

Continuing ir protest against  token system for pdy procurement, farmers in Odisha took to streets and blocked  National Highway with pdy loed tractors. Earlier farmers held protests by parking pdy-len vehicles outside residence of Rengali MLA Nauri Nayak. 

Farmers protesting against introduction of 'token system' 

farmers have alleged that  introduction of centralised token system has led to delay in pdy procurement.  issue came to light after BJP MLA Nauri Nayak, Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, Dr Mukesh Mahaling and ors voiced issue in  Assembly session. According to new system, tokens will be issued and sent to a farmer's mobile number 15 days before procurement of pdy. 

Earlier leers from opposition parties like Congress std protest in Assembly against farmer's conditions and law and order situation in state Assembly n h to be journed. 

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'Token System will destroy farmer community'

BJP MP Suresh Pujari also reiterated that Odisha government’s token system will destroy entire farmer community. He also directed centre to hold discussions with Naveen Patnaik government and resolve issue. 

"At a time when farmers should have sold ir pdy, y are currently on streets protesting token system. National Highways have been blocked because of Odisha government’s token system. It will t work here and re is a need to re-introduce first-come-first-serve system for procurement,” he said.

On Friday, farmers called for a 12-hour protest to voice ir resentment. Government offices, business establishments, shops, markets, banks, and financial institutions were closed due to agitation, however, educational institutions were open.  farmers are demanding Government to revert to earlier system and expedite procurement as soon as possible. Defending new initiative, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said new token system allows small-time farmers to bring pdy for sale as tokens are issued in a transparent way, he said this system will t let big farmers dominate market. 

(With inputs from ncies)

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