In a high-level meeting held here on Thursday to ensure smooth procurement of paddy from farmers this season, Minister of Civil Supplies Pratap Keshari Deb instructed the 12 district Collectors present to see that the farmers get the right value of their produces.
“The Collectors must ensure that farmers get the minimum support price (MSP) of the paddy they sell in the market yards,” he said. For the first time, Collectors of Kalahandi and Nuapada, other than the 10 districts of north division, were present in this meeting. Civil Supplies Secretary Madhusudan Padhi and MD of Odisha Civil Supplies Corporation Suresh Vashist were also present.
Deb further said hat farmers must get the payment for their paddy within three to seven days. “There must not be any delay in the payments,” he said.“The demand for Rs 300 bonus per quintal of paddy is genuine. I also support it. But I will take up the matter to the higher forum,” said the minister.He further said that millers can sale 75 percent of the rice produced in the open market and 25 percent through levy. But previously it was reverse.
“The new system will be helpful in curbing distress sale. At the same time, the millers will get more scope to sell their produces outside the State at higher price,” he said.“The Centre has also approved this new policy,” he said, adding “But it needs mention that both farmers and millers are protesting this new policy.”
From the current season the millers can purchase paddy at the mill head from the farmers. But this entire transaction will be made in the presence of senior Government officials only, the minister made clear.