Kala Panchayat Farmers Cry Foul Over PACS Irregularities

Jamui, Bihar: Farmers of Kala Panchayat in Laxmipur Taluka have raised strong objections to the alleged irregularities at the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) center. Despite the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy being set at ₹2,300 per quintal, the PACS center is reportedly refusing to procure paddy at the mandated price, leaving farmers frustrated and financially strained.

In a significant development, farmer leader Ajay Kumar Gope, along with Aman Pandey and Aanand Pandey, met with the District Magistrate (DM) of Jamui yesterday during the "Janta Darbar" public hearing. The delegation presented their grievances and demanded immediate action to address the issue.

PACS Center Under Fire
The farmers accused the PACS center in Kala Panchayat of pressuring them to sell their produce at a much lower rate of ₹18-₹20 per kilogram. Ajay Kumar Gope, who has registered 200 quintals of paddy, highlighted how farmers are being harassed and denied their rightful MSP.

"I personally registered my paddy, yet PACS officials refuse to buy it at the proper rate. This is not just my problem but a crisis faced by every farmer in our Panchayat," Gope said.

Aman Pandey and Aanand Pandey, both small-scale farmers, added that this issue is recurring every year. Aman Pandey stated, "We are repeatedly forced to sell at lower rates. PACS officials always have excuses, but this affects our livelihoods deeply."

A Long-Standing Issue
According to farmers, PACS officials often blame rice mill owners, alleging that their demands for additional quantities of paddy during processing delay procurement. This forces farmers to sell their produce at reduced rates, fearing storage losses and financial instability.

Despite holding valid registration forms, many farmers are unable to sell their produce at PACS centers, leading to mounting frustrations and a sense of betrayal.

Farmers’ Demands Presented to the DM
During the meeting, the farmers outlined the following key demands:

1. Immediate procurement of paddy at the government-mandated MSP.
2. Strict action against PACS officials involved in corrupt practices.
3. Implementation of a transparent procurement process to prevent such issues in the future.

Hope for Justice
The DM assured the farmers that their complaints would be investigated and appropriate measures would be taken to resolve the issues. However, the farmers remain cautiously optimistic, waiting to see if the administration will deliver on its promises.

What’s Next?
Ajay Kumar Gope, Aman Pandey, and Aanand Pandey, who have been at the forefront of this movement, stated that this meeting is just the beginning. Ajay said, “If action is not taken, we will escalate our efforts to ensure farmers receive the justice they deserve.”

The refusal of Kala Panchayat PACS center to procure paddy at MSP has put the spotlight on systemic inefficiencies in rural procurement. As the farmers await administrative action, their collective resolve continues to grow.

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