Dispatch News.
Raipur. Today, Food Minister Amarjeet Bhagat reviewed the preparations for paddy procurement at support price from farmers in the upcoming Kharif marketing year 2021-22. He met departmental officers at his residence office, Surguja Kutir and said that the government would procure paddy from farmers on support price from December 1. He said that Chhattisgarh is the first state where the state government is procuring paddy from the farmers at reasonable prices. There are complaints of unlawful transportation of paddy from other states from the border areas. Therefore, ensure strict monitoring in the border areas. He said that according to some estimates, the state will procure 105 lakh metric tonnes of paddy under the leadership of the Chief Minister. Adequate gunny bags should be available for easy paddy procurement from farmers. Before purchasing paddy, ensure the availability of gunny bags.
The Food Minister also examined the status of cooperative societies for the procurement of paddy. He charged the state level officers to review the preparations for paddy procurement by visiting the divisional headquarters 15 days ahead. He directed the arrangements of water, electricity and seating for the farmers at the paddy procurement centres. Computer operators, internet and employees should also be present in the procurement centres. Nodal officers appointed to oversee the paddy procurement centres should ensure regular monitoring. Nodal officers should be held accountable for malpractices or negligence.
In the meeting, the officials told Minister Amarjeet Bhagat that an estimated 105 lakh metric tonnes of paddy would be purchased from the farmers on support price through more than 2311 cooperative society centres in the state. This year 1.13 lakh new farmers have registered. So far, the number of farmers registered for the sale of paddy has exceeded 22 lakh 66 thousand. The date of registration for new farmers has been extended till November 10. Officials said that more than five and a half lakh bales of gunny bags would be required to buy paddy. For this, the availability of gunny bags is being made from millers, PDS, Jute Commissioner. Apart from this, on the recommendation of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for Paddy Purchase, farmers will be allowed to sell paddy in their gunny bags. Apart from this, the tender process is underway for the supply of remaining gunny bags through the open market.
In the meeting, Minister Amarjeet Bhagat also took detailed information regarding the disposal of paddy to be purchased at support price this year. Officials said that for the Kharif marketing year 2021-22, the Central Government has consented to buy 61.5 lakh metric tonnes of rice, but not usna rice. Therefore, he asked that the Central Government be urged through a letter to buy that rice.
Food Department Secretary Topeshwar Verma, Chhattisgarh Food Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Niranjan Das, Markfed Managing Director Kiran Kaushal, Special Secretary Manoj Kumar Soni, Joint Secretary GS Sikarwar and other senior officers were present at the meeting.
