BHADRAK:Paddy procurement process will start from December 19 through 108 cooperative societies. This was informed by Civil Supply Officer (CSO) Umasankar Pati at the District level Procuring Committee (DLPC) meeting held in DRDA Conference Hall here,Over 1.6 lakh farmers applied online, of which, around 53,000 have been registered. The mandis will remain open from morning to evening while farmers will get their dues within a week in their respective bank accounts. District officials have been directed to complete the procurement process by March, he said.
The district administration has decided to procure 13.20 lakh quintals of paddy. While millers have to purchase nearly nine lakh quintals, the rest will be bought by cooperative societies. The millers, who have not yet met their last year’s rice target, will not be allowed to purchase paddy, Pati said.
Sources said some millers have not deposited their rice quota which amounts to over 50,000 quintals. They have been directed to deposit the rice before November 30 or face action, the CSO said.
Collector Gyanaranjan Das, who presided over the meeting, said the district administration will take necessary steps to protect the interest of farmers.
