Bhubaneswar, 5/1 : Rice millers across Odisha have announced an indefinite halt to their operations, including paddy procurement-related activities, starting January 5, 2026, following the failure of crucial talks with the state government to address their long-standing demands. The All Odisha Rice Millers’ Association (AORMA) stated that the decision comes after the government did not provide a written assurance to fulfill their key demands, despite earlier verbal commitments.
The millers had previously set a deadline of January 3, 2026, for the government to execute assurances made during meetings in late November and early December 2025. However, with over five weeks passing without any formal government order, the association felt compelled to intensify its agitation. A meeting held between AORMA representatives and the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department on January 5, 2026, ultimately remained inconclusive.
Among the key demands put forth by AORMA are the immediate payment of custody and maintenance charges for the Kharif Marketing Seasons (KMS) 2023-24 and 2024-25. Millers are also seeking additional incentives for custom milling, a revision of transportation charges, especially for distances beyond 40 kilometers, and the restoration of one percent driage for raw milling. Furthermore, the evacuation of approximately 12 lakh tonnes of custom milled rice (CMR) currently lying in their godowns is another critical concern, with millers stating they cannot sign new agreements until previous stocks are lifted.
The government’s Food Supplies Department has acknowledged the millers’ demands and requested more time to address the issues. They have also assured that efforts are underway to ensure that the paddy procurement process is not adversely affected. Earlier, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra had reportedly agreed to meet some demands, such as releasing custody and maintenance charges for KMS 2023-24 and 2024-25 and revising transportation charges from 28 paisa to 43 paisa, but had sought more time for others.
The immediate impact of this strike is already being felt across the state. Paddy procurement at various mandis, including Malmunda mandi under Puintala block in Bolangir district, has come to a complete standstill. Farmers, who have brought their harvested paddy to the mandis, are now facing distress as large quantities of their produce lie exposed to potential weather damage. Reports indicate that tractor operators are charging high transportation fees, further burdening cultivators. The Opposition BJD party has also highlighted “large-scale mismanagement” in paddy procurement for KMS 2025-26 and threatened a statewide protest, noting discrepancies in procurement figures and delayed payments to farmers. AORMA leaders have affirmed that the agitation will persist until a clear written assurance is provided by the government.
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