Chhattisgarh Food and Civil Supplies Minister Amarjeet Bhagat on Tuesday called for strict monitoring of illegal transportation of paddy from neighbouring states.
An adequate stock of gunny sacks should be ensured as the procurement of paddy at the minimum support price will begin from December 1, he said.
The Minister was holding a departmental review meeting on commencement of paddy procurement on Tuesday.
He said that during paddy procurement, every year complaints are received on paddy being transported from neighbouring states for sale at the government buying outlets.
The reason is the higher paddy procurement price given in Chhattisgarh as compared to other states, he said. A tab on such illegal transportation of paddy through bordering areas has to be kept. Stern action must be initiated if this happens, he said.
The Minister said the paddy will be procured through 2,311 cooperative society centres across the state. The target for procurement in the present Kharif season is 105 lakh tonnes.
The farmers registered for sale of paddy has exceeded 22.66 lakh. Already the date of registration has been extended till November 10 as per the Chief Minister's announcement.
In the current year, more than 1.13 lakh new farmers have registered compared to last year.
Reviewing the status of cooperative societies, he said state level officers should review paddy procurement at divisional headquarters before it commences. All basic amenities are provided to farmers during procurement.
The requirement of gunny bags is more than 5.50 lakhs. The bags can also be purchased from farmers.