In a decisive push to protect genuine farmers and plug leakages, Odisha’s high-level Inter-Ministerial Committee today finalised stringent operational guidelines for paddy procurement during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26.
Chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, the meeting underscored that every policy decision must prioritise small and marginal farmers.“Emphasis should be given on small & marginal farmers,” the Dy CM declared, setting the tone for a farmer-centric procurement drive backed by robust digital and physical safeguards.
Key Highlights of the New Framework
- Zero Tolerance on Leakages: Strict border sealing to block unauthorised out-of-state paddy, mandatory IRIS biometric verification at Mandi entry points, and compulsory weighment inside designated procurement centres only.
- Rapid Grievance Redressal: All complaints uploaded on the FS&CW portal must be resolved within 24 hours by a dedicated nodal officer. A toll-free Grievance Redressal Call Centre (1967) has been linked directly to state headquarters control rooms.
- Daily Monitoring: District Collectors will conduct daily reviews with field inspectors and civil society representatives to ensure transparency.
- World-Class Infrastructure: Every Paddy Procurement Centre (PPC) will feature rest sheds, toilets, drinking water, 24×7 CCTV surveillance, adequate lighting, and sufficient tarpaulins. Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) will be mandatory across districts.
- Inter-Departmental Coordination: Seamless synergy between Revenue, Cooperation, Police, Transport, and Agriculture departments.
The committee also directed the Legal Metrology Department to calibrate all testing equipment before operations begin and instructed the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to set up additional godowns in high-yield areas.
Impressive Growth Recorded
In KMS 2025-26, a record 18,84,628 farmers sold 77,48,083 MT of paddy — reflecting a 5.48% growth in procurement volume and a remarkable 14% growth in the number of farmers participating compared to the previous season.
Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, FS&CW Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, and senior officials, including Principal Secretary FS&CW Sanjay Kumar Singh, were present at the meeting.
With these robust measures, the Odisha government aims to ensure fair prices, dignity, and hassle-free procurement experiences, especially for the state’s small and marginal farmers who form the backbone of its agricultural economy.
