TFP Bureau, Raipur, December 20, 2024: A meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, chaired by Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection Minister Dayal Baghel, was held today at the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly to review the paddy procurement system and expedite the lifting process for custom milling. Key issues discussed included arrangements for gunny bags, token status for farmers, and ensuring smoother operations for paddy sales.
As part of the ongoing Kharif marketing season, the state has procured 63.14 lakh metric tonnes of paddy since November 14, paying ₹14,059 crore to 13.19 lakh farmers under the bank-linked payment system. Authorities have issued Delivery Orders (DO) and Transport Orders (TO) for more than 50% of the total paddy procured, and 10 lakh metric tonnes have already been lifted by millers.
This year, Chhattisgarh expects to procure a record 160 lakh metric tonnes of paddy through 2,739 procurement centers and 2,058 cooperative societies, surpassing last year’s record of 144.92 lakh metric tonnes. Officials emphasized the importance of streamlining procurement, ensuring adequate facilities, and providing timely access to gunny bags for farmers.
Attendees included Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, and Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma, along with senior officials from the Food, Agriculture, and Finance Departments.
The Food Department Secretary, Anbalgan P., reported that the process of custom milling and depositing rice in the Central Pool is underway, with all district collectors instructed to accelerate the lifting of paddy. Officials assured that all necessary steps are being taken to ease the process for farmers and ensure an organized procurement campaign.
The committee reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests of farmers and strengthening the state’s procurement infrastructure.
