TFP Bureau, Raipur, December 6, 2024: Under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the paddy procurement process in Chhattisgarh has been running smoothly since it began on November 14. So far, a total of 32.29 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been purchased from farmers across the state, with payments of Rs 6807.82 crore disbursed to 6.80 lakh farmers. The paddy procurement campaign is set to continue until January 31, 2025.
Food department officials shared that, as of today, 27.68 lakh farmers have registered for this year’s Kharif season, including 1.45 lakh new farmers. A total of 160 lakh metric tonnes of paddy is expected to be purchased through 2,739 procurement centers. On December 6 alone, 2.95 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were bought from 66,181 farmers, with 76,378 tokens issued for procurement.
The state government has set up a dedicated helpline at 0771-2425463 to assist farmers with complaints and issues related to the procurement process. Farmers can call the number for immediate redressal of their concerns.
Token Application Made Easier for Farmers
Farmers can apply for tokens for paddy sale through the “Committee Module” or the *Token Tuhar Hath* app. While 40% of token applications are reserved for the committee module, 60% are handled through the app. Farmers facing challenges with the app can apply through the committee operator. Upon successful registration, farmers can select a date for paddy sale from available slots, which extend until January 15, 2025. Small and marginal farmers are allowed two tokens, while large farmers are given three.
New Gunny Bag Policy and Payment for Kisan Bags
In line with the new gunny bag policy, paddy procurement in Chhattisgarh is carried out using a 50:50 ratio of new and old gunny bags. The state has arranged adequate gunny bags at all procurement centers. In cases of necessity, Kisan gunny bags are being used, with an amount of Rs 11 crore 23 lakh allocated to Apex Bank to reimburse farmers at Rs 25 per bag.
Adequate Gunny Bags in Supply
As of now, 72,194 bundles of gunny bags are available across procurement centers. Of the required 4 lakh bundles of new gunny bags, 3.51 lakh have been received, with the remaining expected in the next 15 to 20 days. Currently, 32,392 bundles of PDS gunny bags, 23,078 bundles of Miller gunny bags, and 10,176 bundles of Kisan gunny bags have been used. The state has enough supplies to meet the ongoing procurement needs, ensuring a smooth process for farmers.
