NNKS Calls 8-Hour Odisha Bandh on January 28 Over Paddy Procurement, PUCC Fines

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NNKS Calls 8-Hour Odisha Bandh on January 28 Over Paddy Procurement, PUCC Fines

The Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) has announced an eight-hour Odisha bandh on January 28 from 6 am to 2 pm to protest alleged irregularities in paddy procurement, heavy PUCC fines, and electricity tariff issues. While Congress has extended support, the BJP has criticised the bandh, calling it politically motivated.

Published by Abhishek Swain | January 27, 2026

The Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) has called for an eight-hour Odisha bandh onWednesday, January 28, from6 am to 2 pm, to protest alleged irregularities in paddy procurement, the imposition of heavy fines under the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) system, and what it described as arbitrary actions by Tata Power related to electricity tariffs.

The farmers’ organisation said the shutdown aims to highlight the difficulties faced by farmers and the general public due to administrative failures and rising costs. Normal life in several parts of Odisha is expected to be affected during the bandh, although emergency services will remain operational.

NNKS National Coordinator Akshay Kumar said the protest was also triggered by the alleged assault on farmers during an earlier demonstration, even in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister.

TheOdisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC)has extended support to the bandh. OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das said district Congress committees across the state have been instructed to participate in the protest peacefully.

However, theBharatiya Janata Party (BJP)has strongly criticised the bandh call, describing it as a “fake farmers’ movement.” BJP spokesperson Manoj Mahapatra alleged that NNKS lacks grassroots support and accused the Congress of using the farmers’ organisation to mobilise protests.

Mahapatra further claimed that farmers were neglected during the previous BJD government, while middlemen benefited, and asserted that farmers are now being encouraged under the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government. He said the bandh would have minimal impact across the state.