Bhubaneswar, Jan. 1 -- Farmers staged a protest at Sanakhemundi in Ganjam district on Thursday over alleged irregularities in paddy procurement and the delay in the opening of mandis, causing disruption in the area. The agitation was triggered by complaints that 10 to 15 kg of paddy is being deducted per quintal during procurement, leading to losses for cultivators.

The protesters alleged that several mandis have not been opened on time, forcing farmers to wait for days to sell their produce. Raising concerns over unfair deductions and procurement delays, the farmers demanded that paddy be purchased at the government-fixed minimum support price without any cuts.

The protest was organised by the Sanakhemundi Unnayan Kriyanushthan Committ...