Paddy weighing halted in Bajpur: portal limit of 16 purchase centres exhausted, angry farmers gherao SMO and warn of road blockade with trolleys; no payment even after 25 days, alleges farmer leader

Paddy is not being weighed at several purchase centres in the Bajpur area, including Bannakheda. According to Amar Ujala, angry farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Union Kumaon division president Vicky Randhawa reached the SMO's office in the mandi, gheraoed SMO Nalinikant and demanded that weighing be started at once. The farmers have warned that they will block the road on Saturday by parking tractor-trolleys loaded with paddy. The SMO said senior officials have been informed and weighing will be arranged. According to nodal officer Nitesh Harbola, the portal limit of 16 centres in the area has been exhausted; 15 centres were given a limit of 4,000 quintals each and one a limit of 3,500 quintals, and about 63,000 quintals of paddy have been bought at them. The report does not say when the limit will be raised. Separately, Congress state general secretary and farmer leader Dr Ganesh Upadhyay said more than 25 days have passed since procurement began but farmers have not been paid, although the government had given the High Court an affidavit promising payment within 24 to 72 hours.