Former chief minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Monday alleged that there has been a “complete systemic failure” in the state’s ongoing Kharif paddy procurement operations at state-run mandis. Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the inauguration of the paddy procurement system in Kendujhar on December 26 (@CMO_Odisha X) In a letter to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik alleged that the current procurement season has been marked by “profound struggle” for the farmer community, and attributed the crisis to administrative negligence and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government’s failure to honour its 2024 poll promises. “At the heart of farmer grievances lies the continued prevalence of ‘katni chhatni’ — arbitrary and illegal deductions from agricultural produce at procurement centres. During the 2024 elections, you made solemn commitments to the farming community regarding enhanced MSP and stopping of Katni-Chhatni. However, the ground reality across Mandis tells a story of betrayal,” Patnaik said in his letter. He alleged that deductions of 5-7 kg per quintal, or even higher, are being made under …