Bhawanipatna Farmers Besiege Collector’s Office Over Paddy Registration

Bhawanipatna witnessed a massive farmers’ protest on Tuesday as cultivators from Indravati Megalift irrigation areas marched to the district collector’s office demanding immediate registration of their paddy crop.

Farmers from Kokasara and Dharmagarh blocks, already on dharna for 12 days, joined thousands in a procession from Balaji temple, led by Kokasara block vice‑chairman Rajiv Agrawal.

The agitation was organised by farmer leader Gobardhan Bag and coordinated by Digambar Duria.

The protesters alleged that exclusion from the registration process has barred them from selling their harvested paddy, leaving them in financial distress.

They warned of serious consequences if their demands were ignored.

Several BJD leaders, including Junagarh MLA Dibyashankar Mishra, Lanjigarh MLA Pradeep Dishari, and former MLA Pushpendra Singh Deo, extended support, accusing the government of neglecting farmers’ rights and failing to ensure fair procurement.

The farmers submitted a memorandum to the district collector, reiterating their demand for registration and procurement of paddy.