Raipur witnessed strong political criticism on Tuesday as Congress national general secretary and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel launched a comprehensive attack on the state government over multiple pressing issues affecting the common people.
Paddy Procurement Crisis Hits Farmers Hard
Speaking to reporters in the state capital, Baghel highlighted the severe difficulties in paddy procurement across Chhattisgarh, stating that farmers are experiencing significant distress due to systemic failures. The former chief minister alleged that thousands of farmers are being prevented from selling their grain because their names have been arbitrarily removed from the official lists.
Baghel pointed to technical problems as a major culprit, noting that frequent server outages are disrupting the token issuance system that farmers need to sell their produce. He described the entire procurement process, which relies on girdawari (crop inspection) reports, as fundamentally flawed and not functioning as intended.
Discrepancies in Crop Assessment and Data Management
The Congress leader revealed alarming details about the actual situation on the ground. Farmers are currently able to sell only 15 to 17 quintals per acre instead of the promised 21 quintals, creating substantial financial losses for agricultural families across the state.
Baghel directly blamed the Agritech Portal for reducing the recorded acreage of thousands of farmers, including those holding tribal land titles. He warned that the government's technical failures would ultimately prevent lakhs of farmers from selling their paddy in the official procurement system.
These server issues and bureaucratic hurdles are forcing farmers into exploitative situations, making them vulnerable to kochiyas (touts) and middlemen who take advantage of their desperation to sell their harvest.
Electoral Roll Revision Faces Scrutiny
Beyond agricultural concerns, Baghel also questioned the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. He expressed serious concerns about the working conditions of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), stating that they are operating under immense pressure and facing mental harassment while trying to submit necessary forms.
Baghel accused the Election Commission of attempting to systematically remove names from voters' lists, using strong language to criticize the process. In a striking metaphor, he referred to the Central Election Commission as "Kechua" (earthworm), noting that while deaths from snake or scorpion bites are common, nobody dies from earthworm bites.
Government's Stance on Immigration Issues
On the sensitive topic of Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants, the former chief minister stated that the current government has failed to provide any concrete figures or data about the situation. He dismissed the administration's approach as "mere political exploitation" rather than addressing the issue with factual information and proper policy measures.
Baghel's comprehensive critique comes at a time when farmers in Chhattisgarh are grappling with multiple challenges, from technological hurdles in the procurement process to concerns about their democratic rights during the electoral roll revision exercise.
