Farmers flag issues in paddy procurement in Madurai

MADURAI/ RAMANATHAPURAM: Responding to allegations levelled by farmers over the political interference in paddy procurement, Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha assured to take action. Meanwhile, farmers alleged that they are forced to pay up to Rs 70-Rs 80/bag as commission at the direct procurement centres.

During the agricultural grievances meeting in Madurai on Friday, Manavala Kannan, a farmer of Nattarpatti village, suddenly broke into tears, alleging that though he had taken his harvested paddy to a DPC in Chellampatti block, he could not sell it there, as he had refused to pay the commission demanded by local political leaders and workers.