Bhubaneswar: Preparations for the Kharif season paddy procurement in Odisha are in full swing as an inter-ministerial review meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Kanak Bardhan Singhdeo, was held today at Lok Seva Bhawan. The process is set to commence in Bargarh and Sambalpur on November 20 and 22, respectively.
Singhdeo emphasized ensuring fair pricing for farmers, preventing irregularities such as brokering, and eliminating practices like katni chhatni (crop deductions). For the first time, an additional ₹800 per quintal input assistance will be provided along with the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The disbursement of this assistance will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on December 8 in Sohela, Bargarh district. Farmers selling paddy at mandis by December 7 will receive the additional amount in a single payment.
To ensure transparency and efficiency, automatic grain analyzers for quality testing have been deployed in 200 large Primary Procurement Centres (PPCs) with a capacity of over 4,000 metric tons. These centers will also be equipped with moisture testing machines to ensure fair assessments of grain quality.
The Deputy CM has directed rice millers to be present at mandis to prevent any malpractice. Each district will establish a control room system to address farmers’ grievances and monitor procurement activities. Dedicated nodal officers and supervisors will oversee operations to ensure the process is transparent and hassle-free.
The review meeting was attended by key officials, including Minister of Food Supply & Consumer Affairs Krushna Chandra Patro, Minister of Cooperation Pradip Bal Samant, Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary Rajesh Pravakar Patil.
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