The Odisha government has made significant progress in its paddy procurement drive, having procured 71.50 lakh metric tons so far.
With a target of 76 lakh metric tons, authorities are striving to meet the procurement goal before the March 31 deadline, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced on Sunday.
The Minister also stated that preparations for Rabi season procurement are underway, with farmer registrations set to commence soon after receiving the Chief Minister’s approval. As per earlier government directives, paddy procurement will officially conclude on March 31 for this cycle.
Monitoring & Past Measures
To ensure smooth procurement, the government had earlier suspended two officials in February over allegations of irregularities at a Mandi in Machhagaon, under Balikuda block in Jagatsinghpur district.
Additionally, a 24×7 control room was set up to monitor operations and swiftly address issues in procurement centers. Farmers can also report grievances through the toll-free helpline 1967, dedicated to resolving concerns related to market operations.
With the procurement cycle nearing completion, authorities are focused on ensuring transparency and efficiency in the process while gearing up for the upcoming Rabi procurement drive.
