The Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) has announced an eight-hour statewide bandh in Odisha on Wednesday, January 28, from 6 am to 2 pm, to protest what it alleges are widespread irregularities in paddy procurement, excessive penalties under the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) system, and “arbitrary actions” by Tata Power related to electricity tariffs and smart meter installations.
The farmers’ organisation said the shutdown is aimed at drawing attention to the growing hardships faced by farmers and the general public due to administrative lapses, rising operational costs, and what it termed anti-people policies. Normal life in several districts is expected to be affected during the bandh period, although emergency services will remain operational.
Announcing the protest, Akshay Kumar, National Coordinator of NNKS, said the bandh is a response to multiple unresolved grievances.
“We will observe an Odisha bandh on January 28 from 6 am to 2 pm in protest against irregularities in mandis, the PUCC system, and the installation of smart meters by Tata Power. Farmers were allegedly assaulted during a protest even in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister. However, emergency services will remain operational,” he said.
Congress Extends Support
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has extended support to the bandh. OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das announced that all district Congress committees have been instructed to participate in the protest and support the shutdown in a peaceful and disciplined manner. The Congress said the issues raised by the farmers’ body reflect broader public concerns related to governance, rising costs, and administrative failures.
BJP Slams Bandh Call
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, strongly criticised the bandh, calling it a “fake farmers’ movement.” BJP spokesperson Manoj Mahapatra alleged that NNKS lacks grassroots support and accused the Congress of using the organisation as a proxy to mobilise protests.
Mahapatra further claimed that the leadership of the outfit has little understanding of agriculture and accused opposition parties of misleading farmers. He said farmers were neglected under the previous government, while middlemen benefited, and claimed that the current Mohan Majhi-led BJP government is working to empower farmers. According to him, the bandh would have minimal impact across the state.
As Odisha prepares for the January 28 shutdown, authorities are monitoring the situation closely to ensure law and order, while citizens are being advised to plan their travel and daily activities in advance due to possible disruptions in transport and public services.
