Raipur 01 December 2024/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai has instructed the officials to take precautionary measures to protect the paddy from rain in view of the possibility of rain in Chhattisgarh state in the wake of Cyclonic Storm Fengal in Tamil Nadu.
Food Minister Shri Dayaldas Baghel has instructed the collectors of all the districts to make concrete arrangements to protect the paddy from rain.
Food Minister Shri Baghel said that purchasing paddy at support price is the top priority of our government. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev, a mega campaign of paddy procurement is going on in Chhattisgarh from 14th November. So far 18.09 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been purchased in the state. So far 3.85 lakh farmers have sold their paddy in the state. In lieu of paddy purchase, Rs 3706 crore 69 lakh has been paid to these farmers under the bank linking system. This campaign of paddy procurement will run till 31 January 2025. Registration has been done by 27.68 lakh farmers for the Kharif year. This includes 1.45 lakh new farmers. This year, it is estimated that 160 lakh metric tonnes of paddy will be purchased through 2739 procurement centres.
Food Minister Mr. Baghel said that the state government is purchasing paddy at support price from the registered farmers of the state with full commitment. Keeping in mind the interest of farmers, facility has been provided to withdraw amount ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 from micro ATMs in procurement centres. Micro ATMs have been made available in all 2058 cooperative societies of the state, this will enable farmers to sell paddy. There is convenience in paying the fare and labor wages for tractors, matadors etc. hired for transportation. The farmers are very happy with this decision of the Chief Minister. He said that check posts have been set up to keep special vigil in the border areas to prevent illegal arrival and transportation of paddy from other states. To monitor the paddy procurement system, a team of state level senior officers has been formed for different districts, who are continuously monitoring it.