It’s a problem of excess in Deogarh. Thousands of bags of paddy are still lying in the market yards to be procured.
Reamal block is the worst affected in terms of paddy procurement. As against the target of 1,09,000 quintals set for the kharif season, only 70,000 quintals were procured.
It was stopped on the ground that the procurement target of the district was achieved.
In the block, 10 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) were entrusted with paddy procurement. Although procurement in the district began on December 9 and concluded on February 18, in this block procurement began late on January 28 and by February 18, it was stopped.
Sources said just two PACS of Nuadihi and Tnkbir have achieved the target set for them while the rest eight PACS procured paddy far below their target.
For instance, Palasama PACS procured 5,281 quintals against a target of 15,000 quintals while Budhapal PACS procured 3,553.48 quintals against target of 10,000 quintals and Kundeigola PACS bought 1,220.22 quintals against target of 8,000 quintals.
It is learnt that about 50,000 quintals of paddy is still lying at various points awaiting purchase. Farmers alleged that the PACS purchased paddy from middlemen and traders and not from farmers. They have demanded a high-level probe into the matter.
Food and Civil Supplies Officer Abhiram Pradhan said the target for procurement had been achieved and higher authorities moved for a fresh target which will be set soon.