Govt enhances paddy procurement target to 77 LMT during kharif season

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government on Friday hiked the paddy procurement target to 77 lakh metric tonnes for the ongoing kharif season.

 The Group of Ministers meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, has approved the hike which was earlier set at 65 lakh metric tonnes.

 With a minimum support price of Rs 2,300 and additional input Assistance of Rs. 800 per quintal, more farmers have expressed their willingness to participate in the procurement which encouraged the government to enhance the target.

 Food Supply & Consumer Welfare Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh presented procurement status in the State.

 He said so far, 46,36, 541 metric tonnes of paddy has been procured from 9, 77, 293 farmers. Nearly Rs 10,000 crore has been disbursed as MSP and Rs 3,500 crore as input assistance has already been transferred to farmers’ accounts.

 This year, the interests of the farmers have been given utmost importance during procurement and necessary arrangements have been made at the mandis.

Keeping in view the interest of the farmers, 3883 nodal officers have been deployed with CCTV system in the mandis. In addition, 217 enforcement squads have been constituted to keep a close watch on outside paddy vehicles.

 Various complaints related to the sale of paddy including tokens, input support, MSP to farmers are being resolved expeditiously through the Command Control Centre at Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation.

 As many as 4,15, 267 calls have been received and resolved through toll fee No 1967.

 Singh Deo expressed that the process of paddy procurement has become more transparent and successful as Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers and senior officials are visiting the district and monitoring the process.

 He suggested that early steps should be taken for the purchase of paddy in the upcoming Rabi season.