Opposition boycotts Chhattisgarh Assembly proceedings over paddy procurement issue

Raising the issue of alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement, the Opposition Congress on Monday (December 15, 2025) boycotted the proceedings of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.

The Opposition MLAs, including leader of the Opposition Charandas Mahant and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel raised the issue and alleged that the process of selling the produce had become complex for the farmers.

During discussion in the Zero Hour, Mr. Baghel alleged that the government did not want to procure paddy at all. The Opposition moved an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on paddy procurement, claiming the government had failed to make proper arrangements.

“If things go wrong with the paddy procurement system, then the finances of the farmers will be ruined for a whole year and their future would be ruined as well,” said Mr. Baghel.

From farmers facing trouble in getting tokens to sell their paddy and the troubles the farmers are facing with the new online system, the Opposition flagged several issues and demanded a detailed discussion by admitting the adjournment motion. Later, on the topic of tokens, Congress MLAs cited the example of a farmer named Manbodh allegedly attempting after failing to receive a token.

Speaker Raman Singh allowed a discussion on the admissibility of the motion.

Congress members alleged that the scale of mismanagement and the problems faced by farmers since the beginning of the season were unprecedented and had not been witnessed in the last 25 years.

They claimed that in previous years, data of farmers who had sold paddy in the preceding season was automatically carried forward, eliminating the need for fresh registration at cooperative societies.

In his reply, State’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dayaldas Baghel informed the house that paddy procurement was being carried out smoothly through 2,739 procurement centres across the State and that strict monitoring was in place to prevent illegal transportation of paddy.

He said farmer registration for Kharif Marketing Year 2025–26 is being done through the Integrated Farmer Portal and the AgriStack portal, and so far 27.40 lakh farmers have registered, compared to 25.49 lakh last year, an increase of about 7.5 per cent.

On the issue of tokens, he said the government has introduced a 24-hour token facility through the “Tuhar Token” app for the current season. “So far, 17.24 lakh tokens have been issued, enabling procurement of 87 lakh tonnes of paddy, and farmers can obtain tokens up to 20 days in advance,” he said.

After the Minister’s reply, Speaker Mr. Singh disallowed the adjournment notice. At this, Mr. Mahant claimed the Minister’s statement was incorrect and that the Opposition was not satisfied with the response. Following this, Congress members boycotted the proceedings and staged a walkout from the House.