BERHAMPUR: Despite claims of elaborate arrangements for smooth paddy purchase, the procurement process in Ganjam district is moving at a snail’s pace, irking farmers across the region.
The district administration has repeatedly asserted that it is fully prepared for kharif paddy procurement and that no eligible farmer will be left out. However, only 33 quintal of paddy have been procured in the last seven days from only three farmers since procurement commenced in the district on December 23.
At a district-level paddy procurement committee meeting held last week in the presence of Mines and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, it was decided that this season’s procurement would exceed last year’s figures. Accordingly, 366 PACS, 109 self-help groups and one pani panchayat were entrusted with the procurement process.
Although around 87,000 tokens were issued to eligible farmers in the first phase, only three cultivators have sold a total of 33 quintal of paddy so far. Similarly, while 100 millers have agreed to undertake custom milling, procurement could not begin due to the absence of society authority slips (SAS) and miller authority slips (MAS).
At least 1,56,713 farmers have registered for the procurement process in the district with the administration setting a target to procure 64 lakh quintal of paddy.
On the other hand, due to lack of storage space, farmers are allegedly selling their paddy to traders from Andhra Pradesh. Sources said despite claims of strict vigilance, traders from the neighbouring state continue to arrive with vehicles and purchase paddy directly from the doorsteps of farmers.
Alleging that distress sale continues in the district, secretary of Rushikulya Rayat Mahasabha Simanchal Nahak said farmers in Beguniapada, Khalikote and other blocks have sold paddy at prices as low as `1,350 per quintal. He demanded that all mandis be opened immediately to protect farmers from distress sale and SAS and MAS be issued without delay.
However, chief civil supplies officer Pradyumna Rautray refuted the allegations of distress sale. While admitting that only 33 quintal have been procured so far, he said procurement would pick up pace within next two days as SAS and MAS are now being issued.