BHUBANESWAR: To bring in discipline in paddy procurement and ensure timely delivery of custom milled rice by millers, the State Government has decided to issue Odisha Rice and Paddy Procurement and Custom Milling of Rice Order, 2016.
As per the new order, no State agency will be allowed to procure FAQ paddy at prices below minimum support price (MSP) announced by the Centre. The order was approved by the State Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday which was presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Earlier, the Odisha Rice and Paddy Procurement (Levy) and Restriction on Sale and Movement Order, 2013 provided the legal framework to regulate the custom millers in the State. The order was rescinded from October 1, 2015 creating a vacuum of any regulatory mechanism. The new Control Order has been brought on the basis of the advice of the Centre in December, 2015, Chief Secretary AP Padhi said.
Padhi said as per the new Control Order, the Government will have the power to direct the custom millers to convert paddy delivered by State agencies to rice within a time frame. Besides, millers will be obliged to mill paddy and deliver FAQ as per out turn ratio fixed by the Centre, he said.
Custom millers cannot dispose of paddy and will have to maintain accounts of all transactions with State agencies and other persons separately. The new order will also empower the enforcement officers for entry, search and seizure.
The Cabinet approved the cadre rules of post graduate trained (PGT) teachers and principals of all higher secondary schools under the ST&SC Development Department. The Chief Secretary said 50 per cent of the posts of PGT cadre will be filled up through direct recruitment by Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC).
The post of principals will be filled up from the eligible PGTs. The recommendations of the departmental promotion committee (DPC) for promotion from TGT to PGT and from PGT to principal will be referred to OPSC for concurrence.
A decision to amend the rules was also taken to fill up 22 newly-created posts in the Government press. The Cabinet also approved the Odisha Revenue Service Group B (Probation and Departmental Examination) Rules, 2016.