To ensure transparent and well-organised paddy procurement during the Kharif season, the Odisha Government has introduced several major reforms. Ministers themselves will now take charge of monitoring operations in mandis across districts, following a district-wise responsibility allocation made by the Chief Minister.

Ministerial Oversight and High-Level Committee Formed

Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushnachandra Patra informed the Odisha Assembly that a high-powered ministerial sub-committee has been constituted to coordinate departmental activities during the procurement process.
The committee will supervise operations to prevent irregularities and ensure farmers face no inconvenience at procurement centres.

CCTV Surveillance at Mandis and Border Checkpoints

To curb illegal entry of paddy from neighbouring states and check malpractice, the government has decided to install CCTV cameras at state borders along with strict checking.
All mandis will also be equipped with CCTV monitoring and dedicated control rooms for real-time supervision.

Zero Tolerance for Corruption

The Minister clearly stated that any government official found involved in corruption will face strict disciplinary action. The government aims for a fully accountable and transparent procurement ecosystem.

Over 19.68 Lakh Farmers Registered

A total of 19.68 lakh farmers have registered to sell paddy this year. As per government assurance, farmers will receive ₹3,100 per quintal, ensuring fair compensation.

Modern Testing Devices to End ‘Katni-Chhatni’ Issues

To eliminate disputes over quality (locally known as ‘katni-chhatni’), the government has deployed:

• Advanced grain quality testing machines

• 140 mobile paddy cleaning machines

• 303 AI-based analysers

These tools are expected to improve accuracy and speed in paddy assessment.

Priority for Small and Sharecroppers

Small farmers and sharecroppers will be given priority during procurement to ensure their produce is purchased without delay.

Procurement Delays Due to Rain; Token Validity May Be Extended

Unseasonal rainfall has caused delays in some regions. To avoid losses for farmers, district collectors have been empowered to extend the token validity by 15 days, allowing additional time for selling paddy at the mandis.

The post Odisha Govt Tightens Paddy Procurement System for Kharif Season appeared first on Odisha Connect.