JEYPORE:The administration has estimated a budget of `16 crore to develop different mandis under Regulated Market Committees (RMC) in Koraput district to facilitate paddy procurement.
As per reports, paddy procurement of both Kharif and Rabi seasons is conducted at 41 mandis in Jeypore and Koraput sub-divisions every year. But due to lack of basic amenities like threshing floor, rest shed, drinking water and godowns facilities, farmers face difficulties during paddy procurement. Though farmers bodies and Pani Panchayats of different blocks of the district have been demanding for upgradation of the infrastructure at the market yards (mandis) since long. Even the Rice Millers’ Association of Koraput had appealed to the district Collector for development of the mandis for smooth procurement.
Recently, Collector A Saha allotted a fund of `16 crores and directed the officials of RMCs to take up infrastructure development work at the mandis soon.Informing this to mediapersons here, Jeypore Sub-Collector and RMC Chairman CS Rathod said development of the infrastructure at market yards will begin soon for the benefit of farmers. In the first phase, 28 mandis will be developed and later, others will be covered.
Sources said about 21 lakh quintals of paddy are procured through the mandis every year. The RMC officials collect `4 per quintal for development of market yards.Meanwhile, the administration has decided to organise the district-level procurement committee meeting ahead Kharif season in Koraput town on Thursday.