Sambalpur Farmers’ Protest Hits Odisha Kharif Procurement | MSP Token Crisis
Sambalpur witnessed a major disruption on December 19, 2025, as farmers staged a 12-hour bandh demanding reforms in paddy procurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme.
Organized by Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti (POKSSS), the protest brought daily life to a standstill with shops, schools, and businesses closed.
Farmers alleged delays and irregularities in the distribution of procurement tokens, mandatory for selling paddy at government mandis.
Despite procurement beginning on November 28, thousands of farmers remained stranded with paddy-laden vehicles, facing crop deterioration and mounting transport costs.
This season, 65,143 farmers registered in Sambalpur—an increase from last year’s 60,359. Yet many received only one token, insufficient for their harvest.
Protesters claimed 8,000–10,000 tokens were missing from mobile apps. Earlier, farmers had blocked roads and dumped unsold paddy at the collector’s office. Negotiations later ensured token distribution for 11,000 farmers.
Political leaders from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), including Rohit Pujari, joined the bandh, accusing the BJP-led government of “anti-farmer policies.” Senior leader Sanjay Das Burma demanded urgent intervention.
Meanwhile, Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra insisted procurement was smooth statewide, citing reforms such as AI-based grain analysers, mobile cleaning machines, and extended registration.
By December 18, Sambalpur led procurement with 20,809 farmers covered and 9.61 lakh quintals lifted.
POKSSS convener Ashok Pradhan described the bandh as a “final warning,” threatening wider agitations if systemic issues persist.
Farmers continue to demand glitch-free online systems and improved transport facilities to safeguard their livelihoods.
