Centre to Lift 8 Lakh Tonnes of Rice from Odisha

BHAWANIPATNA / BHUBANESWAR – In a move to address farmer concerns and bolster rural infrastructure, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Sunday that the Central Government has officially agreed to procure eight lakh metric tonnes of rice from the state.

The announcement came during a high-profile event in Bhawanipatna, the headquarters of Kalahandi district, where the Chief Minister sought to reassure the farming community amid ongoing protests regarding alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement.

Speaking to a large gathering on Sunday evening, CM Majhi emphasized that the Centre’s decision to lift the substantial rice quota would streamline the state’s procurement process. “The Centre has agreed to lift eight lakh metric tonnes of rice from Odisha. Therefore, the State Government is making arrangements to collect paddy from farmers,” the Chief Minister stated.

Highlighting the financial gains for agricultural families under the current administration, Majhi noted that a combination of state and central schemes—including the PM Kisan and CM Kisan initiatives—has significantly raised rural income. According to the Chief Minister, a typical farmer family in the state is now earning approximately ₹71,000 more per year due to these welfare measures.

He further detailed that farmers are now receiving an additional financial assistance of ₹800 per quintal of paddy, alongside annual payments of ₹10,000 under the dual Kisan schemes.

Massive Infrastructure Push in Kalahandi

Beyond procurement, the visit marked a major developmental milestone for the region. CM Majhi launched a suite of projects worth more than ₹891 crore, specifically aimed at improving irrigation in the historically drought-prone district.

The developmental package includes:

• Inaugurations: 971 projects completed at a cost of ₹193.36 crore.

• Foundation Stones: 2,641 new projects with an estimated investment of ₹698.3 crore.

“All these projects will ensure more development of Kalahandi and its farmers,” Majhi said, while also revealing plans for the ambitious Utei Rawal irrigation project, which carries a price tag of ₹3,325 crore. The Chief Minister confirmed that work on this mega-project will begin as soon as the Central Government provides the final clearance.

The Chief Minister also shared updates on local infrastructure, noting that work on the Belgaum intra-river reservoir project would commence shortly, and construction of the Sandul Barrage is slated for early completion. In a move to diversify the local economy, Majhi announced that the corridor between Kalahandi and Nabarangpur would be developed into a dedicated cotton production cluster.

The visit concluded on a cultural note, with the Chief Minister inaugurating the Kalahandi Ghoomura Mahotsav-2026 and unveiling ‘Kalajharan’, a special souvenir commemorating the festival.