CDO Lamsal orders immediate payment to farmers amid DDC Attariya dispute

Attariya: Milk collection cooperatives have submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer (CDO) Krishna Prasad Lamsal seeking facilitation in the payment of milk dues pending for the past three months at the Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) Attariya.

On Sunday, cooperatives and agricultural firms that collect milk from farmers demanded action, stating that payments have not been made since Magh 2081, leaving farmers unable to cover their expenses. The DDC, in the memorandum, cited the closure of its administrative and financial cells as the reason for the delay, prompting the request for CDO intervention.

Following the submission, CDO Lamsal reached the locked DDC office and held discussions with stakeholders, including the office chief and the mayor of Godavari Municipality. During talks held on the road outside the office, Lamsal directed the DDC chief to immediately release farmers’ payments, assuring necessary security arrangements. He instructed that a specific timeline for disbursement be set.

DDC Attariya office chief Niranjan Bhattarai said payment schedules could be finalized after discussions with cooperatives. While some amount could be disbursed immediately despite the office closure, he noted that the remaining dues would require further coordination.

Godavari Mayor Birendra Bhatta highlighted that although the process to provide land to DDC had begun in Godavari, complications arose when the corporation attempted to shift operations to Dhangadhi. “We have taken steps for sustainable management and submitted a land report to the DDC,” he said, adding that the process stalled due to the corporation’s failure to respond. He stressed that clearing farmers’ payments should now be the top priority.

Bhatta further noted that the dispute stemmed from the office chief’s insistence on shifting to Dhangadhi, and assured that the problem could be resolved if the DDC committed to staying in Attariya.

The administrative office of DDC Attariya has remained locked since Jestha 20, after locals protested the relocation plan and demanded the corporation remain in Attariya with land support from the municipality. Despite the municipality submitting land details, the DDC has yet to respond, prolonging the deadlock.

On Sunday, CDO Lamsal was also shown the proposed land in Godavari Municipality-4. With the prolonged lockout halting payment operations, farmers continue to suffer due to delayed milk dues.