India, Feb. 3 -- In an unprecedented event, Bhadrak District Collector Dilip Routrai disguised himself in ordinary clothes and even pretended to be a farmer at the Katasahi mandi under Dhamnagar block to probe allegation of 'katni-chhatni' (undue price reduction of paddy upon assessment) on Saturday.

Sources reported that the District Collector parked his vehicle far away and reached the Katasahi PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Society) wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and a face mask. In this disguise, he walked and made several rounds of the mandi, inspecting and taking firsthand stock of repeated issues being faced by farmers.

Without revealing his identity, the Collector interacted with farmers and inquired about paddy sales. Taking mat...