Paddy procurement for the current Kharif season in the State would begin in November and continue till March-end, 2017, during which paddy for targeted 30 lakh metric tonnes of rice would be purchased from famers across the State in a hassle-free manner.
A decision to this effect was taken at the paddy procurement committee meeting held under chairmanship of Chief Secretary AP Padhi at the State Secretariat on Friday.
Padhi directed officers of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare and Cooperation Departments to make the process convenient for the farmers so that not a single farmer intending to sell paddy is not left out. The farmers having no Aadhar Cards can also sell paddy at Mandis.
He too directed the Regulated Marketing Committee (RMC) officers to ensure necessary equipment, drinking water and sanitation system at each Mandi.
“The Government is targeting to procure 30 lakh metric tonne rice, which is equal to around 44 lakh tonne paddy. Around 8.62 lakh farmers have been registered, which have been coordinated with the Bhulekh land records. By such initiative, the paddy selling through middlemen can be checked,” Padhi told reporters.
According to officials, paddy would be procured from farmers in around 294 blocks. A total of 2,570 societies, 3,032 Mandis, six paddy procuring agencies and over 1,250 millers would participate in the process.
The millers, who have not delivered 100 per cent rice of the procured paddy during 2015 Khariff, would not be allowed to take part in the procurement process this year.
As earlier fixed, the certified common paddy would be bought from the farmers at Rs 1,470 per quintal and A-grade paddy at Rs 1,510 per quintal.
It was revealed that a total of 75,448 sharecroppers have registered names to sell paddy this year.
Coordination committees comprising of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare and the Cooperation Departments have been formed at district levels see that paddy from all intending farmers is purchased and MSP is paid them conveniently. The cost of paddy procured would be deposited in respective farmers’ bank accounts.
