Cuttack: The Odisha government is setting an ambitious target to procure 86 lakh tonnes of paddy this year, and to streamline the transportation process during procurement, the State Transport Authority (STA) has put forth several key recommendations to address significant delays in loading and unloading operations.
In an official press release, the Transport Commissioner emphasized the need for all truck owners to install vehicle location tracking devices by November 15. This initiative aims to enhance real-time monitoring of transport vehicles, thereby minimizing delays in the transportation of paddy from mandis to mills.
During a meeting held in Cuttack, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur engaged in discussions with representatives from the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd., the Truck Owners Association, and various transport contractors. The meeting focused on coordinating the transport system for the upcoming paddy procurement season, which is scheduled to commence at the end of November.
Thakur proposed a series of measures to ensure smoother transportation of paddy. Among these, the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation is preparing to issue a tender specifically for paddy transportation, and efforts are being made to involve a greater number of truck owners in the process. Various challenges faced by truck owners during paddy transport were also thoroughly discussed.
Sudhakar Sahu, Chief Manager of the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd., highlighted crucial elements of the upcoming tender. Thakur further suggested that a representative from the millers should be present at the mandis during loading to ensure quality control. Additionally, he recommended that paddy be covered with tarpaulin and sealed post-loading to prevent damage and discrepancies during transit.
The proposal for vehicle location tracking devices was introduced as a potential solution to the delays experienced during unloading at mills. Moreover, Thakur advised the State Civil Supplies Corporation to revise its tender rules by reducing the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) ratio to 3% and relaxing the transport experience requirements. These changes are expected to make the tender process more inclusive for a broader range of truck owners.
The meeting saw participation from senior officials of the State Transport Authority, as well as key figures such as Ravi Satpathy, General Secretary of the Odisha Truck Owners Federation, and Sarat Chandra Pradhan, President of the Odisha Truck Owners Association, alongside various transport operators.