Bhubaneswar, July 29: The Odisha government has initiated stern action against farmers who allegedly submitted false claims under the paddy procurement scheme for the 2024–25 Rabi season. Authorities plan to issue show-cause notices to individuals who registered for procurement benefits despite not cultivating crops on their land.
Satellite imagery used in a recent survey revealed that over 1.8 lakh plots registered for procurement showed no signs of paddy cultivation. Farmers who fail to respond to the notices within seven days risk being barred from participating in the procurement process for one year.
As the registration process continues, the state is intensifying efforts to weed out fraudulent entries from the system. Officials noted that several individuals have taken advantage of government schemes without actually cultivating paddy, thereby depriving genuine farmers of much-needed support.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra defended the government’s digital verification measures, particularly the implementation of e-KYC. He emphasized that the move is intended to target middlemen and streamline registration—not to inconvenience legitimate farmers. Sharecroppers are also eligible to register, provided they submit a consent letter from landowners.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have voiced strong criticism. The BJD labeled the current registration norms as "unrealistic," pointing to an input subsidy of ₹800 per quintal as a potential reason behind farmer exclusions. The Congress, too, accused the government of using e-KYC as a tool to harass cultivators.
Minister Patra, however, assured that all genuine grievances will be addressed and reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of real farmers.
The crackdown aims to uphold transparency in the procurement system and ensure that state benefits reach those actively engaged in agriculture.
