Odisha Govt To Start Kharif Paddy Procurement From Nov 21, Targets 80 Lakh Ton This year

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to start this year’s procurement process of kharif paddy from November 21.

Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar on Monday, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said the decision was taken at after a minister-level meeting. The procurement of kharif paddy from the farmers would start from Bargarh, he added.

“The government targets to procure 80 lakh ton of kharif paddy this year. The farmers would be paid Rs 3,100 per quintal of paddy as announced by the government. In addition to the minimum support price of Rs 2,300 per quintal of paddy, the state government will pay Rs 800 as input assistance,” he said.

Pujari said in order to ensure transparency in the paddy procurement and payment of right cost to the farmers, the authorised officials would remain present in each mandi from the beginning till end of the process. One supervisor would remain in-charge of 4-5 mandis, he added.

Besides, quality testing machines would be provided to each mandi to check the harvested paddy coming for sale. The FQ paddy would be strictly tested by the machine. The Transport department would supervise transportation of the paddy from mandi to the rice mill, the minister said.

He further said patrolling teams have been deployed in border districts to ensure that the paddy from neighbouring states do not enter Odisha for sale in mandis during the procurement period.

The government has also taken steps to ensure that the tokens issued to the farmers for sale of paddy do not get lapsed due to lapse of dates. The district collectors have been empowered to take decisions on the matter, he added.