Ministerial sub-committee formed to procure paddy discussed with active farmer organizations
The farmers said that they are with the government in every situation
Difficulty faced in recycling and custom milling of warden due to lack of rice deposits
There is no place to keep paddy in the state’s procurement centers
Raipur, 31 December 2020. The ministerial sub-committee constituted for paddy procurement today discussed with the farmers organizations active about the problems faced by the FCI in the Mahanadi Bhavan, not depositing rice and the paddy procurement due to lack of gunny bags. Agriculture Minister Shri Ravindra Choubey said that paddy procurement is going smoothly in the state and about eleven and a half lakh registered farmers have sold paddy. 50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been purchased in the state. This year it is estimated that more paddy will be procured than last year. Forest Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar, Cooperative Dr. Premasai Singh Tekam, Higher Education Minister Mr. Umesh Patel and Food Minister Mr. Amarjeet Bhagat informed the farmers about the problems faced in paddy procurement. Urban Administration Minister Dr. Shiv Kumar Dahria was also present on the occasion.
Agriculture Minister Shri Ravindra Choubey said that paddy purchase is the most important task of the Chhattisgarh government. The entire system of paddy procurement and custom milling has started to be disrupted due to the central government not allowing rice to be taken in FCI till today. If this situation prevails, then in future, paddy purchase will be affected. He said that on December 30, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had an emergency meeting with members of the cabinet regarding paddy procurement in which there was a detailed discussion on the latest status of paddy procurement in the state on support price. The Chief Minister has held direct talks with the Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister regarding permission to deposit paddy in FCI.
Minister Shri Ravindra Choubey said that the Central Government has given in-principle consent to the state of Chhattisgarh to deposit 60 lakh metric tonnes of rice, but the consent to deposit rice in FCI has not been received till date. This is why custom milling is being affected. Recycling of gunny bags is not possible due to lack of rice deposits and custom milling. Due to this, there is also problem of gunny bags for paddy purchase. Paddy procurement centers have gathered due to the impact of custom milling. Paddy procurement in the collection centers and problem of gunny bags may cause problems in paddy purchase. The state government is purchasing paddy by arranging gunny bags at its level. So far, only 1 lakh 5 thousand bales of gunny bags have been received from the Central Government.
About 300 farmers from all districts of the state attended the meeting. The farmers by one vote assured to fully cooperate with the government and said that they would cooperate in the paddy procurement work under all circumstances. The farmer is also ready to sell paddy by extending the time. Will also give his gunny bags to sell paddy. Will work with patience. The farmers also said that they would submit a memorandum to the Governor in the name of the Central Government and would request permission to deposit rice in FCI immediately. Apart from this, regional MPs will also urge them to get permission. Secretary, Food Department, Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, Agriculture Production Commissioner Dr. M. Geeta, MD Markfed Mr. Ankit Anand and other concerned officials were present in the meeting.
