Argus News - Know why Odisha Sealed Its Borders Overnight

Mayurbhanj, Dec 19: The Odisha government has sealed borders with Jharkhand and West Bengal amid the ongoing 2025–26 Kharif paddy procurement season. Officials fear that higher procurement prices in Odisha could lead to illegal inflow of paddy from neighbouring states.

In Mayurbhanj district, the Collector has ordered the setting up of temporary check posts along rural routes connecting Odisha with Jharkhand and West Bengal. CCTV surveillance is already in place, but stricter checks will now be enforced. A letter has also been issued to the Superintendent of Police, directing measures to curb unauthorised grain movement.

Check posts will be established on key routes, including Palasmunadali–Tutapalasia, Dhumsahi/Sirsa–Jamshola/Sarasakana, Pakatia/Deuli–Chaksulia Pada/Chandua, Bandabha/Tiring–Jadunathpur, Tiring/Bahalda–Nandabasa, and Bhalupani–Raruan–Benisagar–Chiruhatu.

Meanwhile, an Odisha BJP delegation led by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi. The team requested an increase in the lifting quota of parboiled rice from 20 to 25 lakh metric tonnes.

Earlier, the Centre had raised Odisha’s paddy procurement target from 50 lakh metric tonnes to 58 lakh metric tonnes for 2024–25. Pradhan expressed gratitude, noting that the move would boost farmer confidence and strengthen the national food security system.