Thousands of Paddy Bags Exposed to Rain at Tukla Mandi: Farmers Question Administrative Inaction

Thousands of Paddy Bags Exposed to Rain at Tukla Mandi: Farmers Question Administrative Inaction Khariar Reporter: Bhajanlal Jagat The arrival of the monsoon is usually a reason for celebration among farmers. However, the situation at the Tukla Paddy Procurement Centre (Mandi) presents a contrasting picture, where concern and uncertainty have replaced hope. Thousands of paddy bags stored in the open and under large trees were reportedly exposed to rain on Sunday, raising serious concerns about crop damage and the safety of farmers’ hard-earned produce. A visit to the mandi reveals a troubling scene. Long rows of paddy bags can be seen stacked under tarpaulins in an open field, with no permanent storage infrastructure in place. Despite being covered, rainwater is believed to have seeped into several stacks, increasing the risk of damage to the grain. In some places, the bags are stored directly on the ground, making them vulnerable to moisture from below as well. The incident has once again highlighted a long-standing issue: despite years of paddy procurement operations at Tukla, a permanent mandi or modern storage facility has yet to be established. Farmers allege that while the problem recurs every year, the concerned authorities have failed to take any concrete steps beyond offering assurances. Paddy cultivation involves months of hard work, financial investment, and constant struggle against unpredictable weather conditions. Farmers say it is disheartening that after successfully producing and delivering their crop to the mandi, they still have to worry about its safety due to inadequate storage arrangements. Delayed lifting of procured paddy has further aggravated the situation. Large quantities of paddy continue to remain piled up in the mandi for days, and the recent rainfall has intensified fears of quality deterioration and possible deductions during assessment. Farmers are concerned that moisture damage could affect the value of their produce and lead to financial losses. According to local farmers, although procurement has been completed, transportation and lifting of paddy are not taking place within the stipulated timeframe. As a result, thousands of bags remain stranded in the open, exposed to the elements. Sunday’s rainfall has only deepened their anxiety. Agriculture remains the backbone of the rural economy, and ensuring the safety of farmers’ produce is a fundamental responsibility of the administration. However, the prevailing conditions at the Tukla mandi suggest significant shortcomings in both storage management and procurement logistics. Farmers have demanded the immediate construction of a permanent warehouse and a modern mandi infrastructure at Tukla. They have also called for the prompt lifting of the accumulated paddy stocks to prevent further losses and safeguard their produce. The questions being raised by farmers are simple yet significant: If paddy worth months of labour is damaged while lying in a government procurement centre, who will be held accountable? And when will Tukla Mandi finally receive a permanent solution to this recurring problem? The farming community now awaits a response from the administration and concerned departments, hoping that this year’s crisis will lead to lasting corrective measures rather than another round of promises.