Raipur, 02 February 2022. It is the result of visionary thinking and generous decisions of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel that a new record has been set for procurement of 96.64 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the current season of procurement of paddy on support price in the state of Chhattisgarh. In the last season 2020-21, 92.803 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was procured as of today. Last year till date 20.54 lakh farmers had sold paddy. This year more than 96.64 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured from 21.62 lakh farmers. So far, Rs 18,605.34 crore has been released to farmers under bank linking system in lieu of paddy purchase.
It is noteworthy that keeping in view the demand and need of the farmers, Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel has decided to extend the date of purchase of paddy by one more week for the convenience of the farmers. Now paddy will be procured from registered farmers till February 7. The state government has set a target to procure 105 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from more than 24 lakh farmers this year. As per the intention of the Chief Minister, along with the procurement of paddy, the lifting of paddy for custom milling is being done at a fast pace. Till now 58.08 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been lifted by the millers through DOs and TOs on the call of the Chief Minister. A new record has also been created in the matter of depositing rice in the Chhattisgarh State Central Pool. So far 15.35 lakh metric tonnes of quality rice has been deposited in the central pool. These include 8.47 lakh metric tonnes of rice deposited in the Food Corporation of India and 6.87 lakh metric tonnes in the Civil Supplies Corporation.
The Chief Minister has said that this remarkable success has been achieved only due to the coordination of the officers of the concerned departments. He expressed hope that the state would fulfill the target of depositing rice in the central pool along with the procurement of paddy.
Food Secretary, Mr. Topeshwar Verma told here today that along with the purchase of paddy this year on the initiative of the Chief Minister, fast lifting of paddy for custom milling is also being done. So far a record 58.08 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been lifted through DO and TO. Mr. Verma informed that DO of 48 lakh 82 thousand metric tonnes of paddy has been issued. The millers have lifted 43 lakh 03 thousand metric paddy from the procurement centers. Similarly, for transportation of 20 lakh 17 thousand metric tonnes of paddy, T.O. has been issued. Against which 15 lakh 05 thousand metric tonnes of paddy has been lifted from the committees.
Food Secretary, Mr. Verma said that on the call of the Chief Minister, millers have set a new record in the matter of custom milling and depositing rice in the central pool. So far a record 15.35 lakh metric tonnes of rice has been deposited in the central pool. It is worth mentioning here that in Chhattisgarh state, procurement of paddy from farmers on support price has started from 1st December 2021. Along with the procurement of paddy, the lifting of paddy from the procurement centers and custom milling is also going on on a war footing. A record more than 24 lakh farmers have registered for selling paddy this year. The registered paddy area is also more than 30 lakh 15 thousand hectares. Secretary, Food Department, Mr. Verma informed that Chhattisgarh has to deposit 61.65 lakh metric tonnes of Arva rice in the central pool this year. To meet this target, the work of lifting and custom milling of procured paddy is being done expeditiously.
Raipur: So far the figure of paddy procurement in the state has crossed 96.64 lakh metric tonnes.
