The paddy procurement process at mandis across the State would continue even after February 28, which was earlier scheduled as the last date for the purpose. In a letter, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has asked the Collectors of 19 districts, including Bhadrak, Cuttack, Ganjam, Gajapati, Baleswar, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal and Khordha to open the mandis as long as farmers want to sell their produces.
The department further instructed the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACSs) to provide tokens to the farmers for paddy procurement. The Collectors have been directed to visit mandis and take action in case of any irregularities found during the paddy procurement.
The department has also warned that action would be taken against millers if they purchase paddy directly from farmers instead of the mandis.