The Odisha Government has warned procurement agencies of stern action if they fail to ensure payment of Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy to farmers within 72 hours of sale.
Adding to it, the Cooperative Societies have been asked to upload purchase data and keep in readiness digital signature certificates so that payment can be made on time. These directions are made to due recommendations made by the Central Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.
According to the official of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department, “Societies and millers found delaying uploading of purchase data and transit pass-cum-acceptance note will be charged penalty as per the norms.” He further added, “Cooperative societies have already been intimated to take steps for wide publicity on waiving out of provision for deduction towards personal consumption so that more farmers are enrolled in the procurement system. Officials neglecting the verification of bank guarantees will be dealt with sternly”.
While the State has set a target to procure 55 lakh tonne of paddy (37lakh tonne in terms of rice) during the current Kharif season. The Grade-A variety of paddy will be procured at Rs 1,770 per quintal and the common variety will be purchased at Rs 1,750 per quintal.
The District Collectors have been instructed to arrange verification of land details furnished by sharecroppers through revenue or agriculture field functionaries to validate the claim of sharecropping.
The crop area of 48.42 lakh acre has been registered in the online portal of the department by 11.32 lakh farmers in 2612 PACS for sale of paddy. Nearly one lakh sharecroppers have enrolled with cooperative societies this time.
The Cooperation department has been asked to ensure enrolment of more sharecroppers, marginal and small farmers through proactive engagement with the farming community. Due to the lack of marketable surplus, there will be no procurement in six blocks. Whereas 308 blocks will participate in paddy procurement through an automated process.
