TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 26, 2025: In a significant move to ensure faster disposal of the bumper paddy harvest, the Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by Food Minister Shri Dayaldas Baghel convened at Mahanadi Bhawan, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. The meeting also saw the presence of Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, Cooperation Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary, Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, and Revenue Minister Shri Tankaram Verma.
The meeting revealed that Chhattisgarh procured a record 149.25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the Kharif marketing year 2024-25 — the highest since the state’s formation. To quickly manage this stock, around 35 lakh metric tonnes of surplus paddy are being sold through e-auction on the M-Junction platform. The Cabinet Sub-Committee had earlier approved the first phase auction rates on April 29, leading to successful disposal of 18.91 lakh metric tonnes. To clear the remaining 12.57 lakh metric tonnes, bidders have been given an opportunity to match prices transparently, promoting healthy competition and speedy sales.
Currently, 31.48 lakh metric tonnes of paddy are stored across 78 storage centers. To facilitate faster lifting, instructions have been issued to District Marketing Officers and storage in-charges to ease vehicle movement and increase porter availability, reducing delays and inconvenience for buyers.
The meeting also clarified the bidding and payment process: bidders must deposit a 3% security amount within seven days of price matching registration on the M-Junction platform, followed by payment of the full purchase amount within the stipulated timeframe to receive lift orders.
Key decisions included extending the final deadline for payment of security deposits and purchase prices until July 15, 2025, and extending the rice deposit period for Kharif marketing year 2023-24 to July 5, 2025. These moves have been welcomed by the Chhattisgarh Rice Millers Association, which submitted a memorandum thanking the Food Minister for the government’s support.
A technical committee, led by the General Manager (Marketing), has been formed to address technical issues faced by millers and buyers during price matching and to ensure swift resolution of challenges.
Further, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai met Union Food Minister to request an increase in the rice deposit target to over 70 lakh metric tonnes for the current Kharif marketing year. The central government assured positive consideration in the interest of the state.
Food Secretary Smt. Reena Babasaheb Kangale, Finance Secretary Shri Mukesh Bansal, Industry Secretary Shri Rajat Kumar, Director Food, Managing Director Markfed, and other officials attended the meeting.
