Minister Emphasizes Farmers’ Stake in Paddy Procurement, Monthly PDS Ration in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Minister for Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Krushna Chandra Patra conducted a comprehensive review of the Department’s activities at a meeting held at Lokseva Bhawan Conference Hall today. The meeting saw the presence of Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Managing Director of State Civil Supply Corporation Shubham Saxena, and other senior officials.

At the outset, Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh provided an overview of the department’s recent initiatives and ongoing efforts.

Patra emphasized the importance of a smooth paddy procurement process during the current kharif season. He instructed officials to prioritize the interests of farmers and take prompt action to address any grievances. The minister directed that no registered farmer should be deprived of paddy procurement, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

In addition, Patra highlighted the implementation of a monthly public distribution system (PDS) ration starting from January 2025. Under this system, eligible beneficiaries will receive their monthly ration by the last week of the previous month. In cases where ration needs extend beyond one month, distribution for two months will be provided. The minister stressed the importance of timely lifting to expedite the distribution process. Currently, 84% of the e-KYC verification process has been completed across the state, which is crucial for smooth ration distribution.

Patra also raised concerns regarding rising prices and instructed for the swift implementation of enforcement squads to combat hoarding. Additionally, he called for increased public awareness and the immediate filling of vacancies in consumer forums at the district level to ensure effective grievance redressal.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the public distribution system and supporting farmers through transparent and efficient processes. Senior officials from both the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department and the State Civil Supply Corporation actively participated in the discussions.