In an important decision in the interests of paddy-producing farmers, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has increased tax liability limit on purchase of paddy from Rs10 crore to Rs50 crore. He directed to issue a notification in this regard immediately. Due to it, greater number of farmers will participate in the purchase process of paddy and get appropriate price for their produce.
Addressing a high-level meeting with paddy traders at Mantralaya here on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that farmers will not have to suffer any loss. Urging traders for cooperation, he said that the Government is ready to take any step for the farmers' welfare. The CM said that impediments in status of basmati producing State being put up by vested business interests will now be removed.
The PM Narendra Modi has also been requested to accord status of paddy producing State to Madhya Pradesh. The traders assured all possible cooperation in paddy purchase in deference to CM's views.
The Chief Minister directed for making arrangements to inform all farmers about rates of paddy. He said that it is responsibility of mandis to help farmers sell paddy and make all arrangements for it.
Agriculture Production Commissioner RK Swai, Principal Secretary to CM Iqbal Singh Bains, Principal Secretary Commercial Taxes Manoj Shrivastava, Commissioner Mandi Board Arun Pandey and Mandi officers were present on the occasion.