Odisha Bandh on January 28: What’s Open and What’s Closed?

Farmers under the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) are gearing up for a statewide bandh in Odisha on Wednesday. They want the government to pay out the promised Rs 800 per quintal input assistance at state-run mandis and to kick middlemen and millers out of the paddy procurement process.

So, why are they taking to the streets? NNKS isn't just upset about paddy procurement. They're also speaking out against the rollout of electricity smart meters and the heavy fines slapped on vehicle owners for not having up-to-date pollution certificates. Plus, they're not happy about the plan to swap out the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, for the new Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevija Mission (Gramin).

NNKS convenor Akshay Kumar says the bandh will run from 6 am to 2 pm.

What's likely to be hit? Most public services will slow down or stop for those eight hours. But don't worry-hospitals, ambulances, and pharmacies are staying open.

Congress is throwing its weight behind the farmers. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das said the party backs the bandh, since the farmers' demands line up with what Congress has been fighting for across the state. District-level party leaders have already gotten the go-ahead to join in.

The BJP, though, isn't impressed. BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra called the bandh a "fake farmers' agitation," saying NNKS is just trying to stay relevant. He also accused Congress of using the protest to score some political points, claiming the bandh won't make a dent in the state.

What is Remain Open

(Exempted from the bandh)

• Hospitals and medical colleges
• Ambulance services
• Pharmacies and medical stores
• Emergency services (police, fire, disaster response)
• Milk supply and essential food delivery (may vary locally)
• Media services

What is Likely to Be Closed or Disrupted

(Depends on local participation and enforcement)

• Government offices (partial disruption possible)
• Banks and financial institutions (operations may be affected)
• Schools and colleges (some may remain shut or shift online)
• Public transport (buses, autos, taxis may run fewer services)
• Shops and markets (especially in urban centres)
• Private offices and commercial establishments
• Petrol pumps (may face temporary disruption in some areas)