Bhubaneswar, (Rakesh Das) Feb 3: In a bold move to investigate allegations of ‘katni-chhatni’ (undue price deductions in paddy procurement), Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routrai recently disguised himself as a farmer and visited Katasahi mandi under Dhamnagar block.
Dressed in shorts, a T-shirt, and a ‘gamcha’ around his neck, he parked his vehicle at a distance and walked to Katasahi PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Society) on Saturday. Wearing a cap and a face mask, he interacted with farmers and observed the procurement process firsthand. He even attempted to sell paddy using another farmer’s token.
His undercover inspection confirmed the allegations, as a cooperative official admitted that 8 kg of paddy would be deducted as wastage. Acting swiftly, Routrai issued a show-cause notice on the spot to the PACS secretary, demanding an explanation within two days. Failure to respond will lead to strict action.
This comes just days after Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra expressed concerns over the lack of cooperation from officials in curbing rice millers’ dominance in paddy procurement. The district administration had already held several meetings to stop ‘katni-chhatni,’ but the malpractice persisted.
Bhadrak Collector goes undercover to expose paddy procurement irregularities
