Aadhaar e-KYC Introduced to Ensure Error-Free MSP Payments; ₹12,703.74 Crore Disbursed to Over 10.56 Lakh Farmers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has introduced Aadhaar-based e-KYC verification for the first time to ensure timely, transparent and error-free disbursement of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Input Assistance to eligible farmers across the State.

The reform, implemented through the P-PAS (Paddy Procurement Automation System) portal, aims to eliminate the possibility of erroneous or duplicate payments by ensuring that financial assistance is credited exclusively to genuine and registered farmers. Officials said the move marks a significant step in strengthening the credibility of the procurement process and safeguarding farmers’ interests.

So far, the Government has disbursed a total of ₹12,703.74 crore towards MSP and Input Assistance, benefiting 10,56,693 farmers. Procurement operations have covered more than 7.99 lakh farmers across the State, reflecting the scale and outreach of the initiative.

However, during the process, a limited number of 5,562 cases of payment errors were reported, primarily due to bank account-related issues. These include accounts reaching the maximum transaction ceiling—particularly Jan Dhan accounts, Airtel Payments Bank accounts and India Post Payments Bank accounts—as well as inactive or frozen accounts, non-seeding of Aadhaar with bank accounts, closure of accounts and pending KYC updates.

To resolve these issues, the State Government has taken proactive measures. District-level officials and field functionaries are in regular contact with affected farmers, guiding them to visit their respective banks and complete the necessary corrective steps. In addition, affected farmers are being informed about the nature of the error through SMS alerts and phone calls.

Strengthening farmer support further, the Government has enhanced its grievance redressal mechanism. Farmers can seek assistance or clarification related to paddy procurement and payments by calling the toll-free helpline number 1967, officials said.

The Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every eligible farmer receives due payments promptly, while continuing to refine digital systems for greater transparency and accountability in agricultural procurement.