Odisha Chief Minister instructed officials to maintain strict vigilance over middlemen during the ongoing paddy procurement process

Bhubaneswar: 12/12/24:Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday instructed officials to maintain strict vigilance over middlemen during the ongoing paddy procurement process at mandis across the state.

The directive was issued during a review meeting on paddy procurement, where the Chief Minister emphasized transparency and farmer welfare.

He noted that the government has been providing Rs. 800 per quintal as input assistance to financially empower farmers. Over 17 lakh farmers are expected to benefit from this assistance under the PM Kisan and CM Kisan schemes.

“Officials must ensure that the paddy procurement process is transparent and that middlemen do not exploit farmers,” said Majhi.

He also directed the provision of basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, canteens, and power supply at mandis to ensure farmers face no difficulties during their visits.

The ongoing kharif paddy procurement is active in nine districts: Bargarh, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, Subarnapur, and Koraput.

As of now, a total of 1,81,196 metric tonnes of paddy has been procured from 37,079 registered farmers in these districts.

The government has disbursed Rs. 323.73 crore as minimum support price and an additional Rs. 112.61 crore as input assistance for the procured paddy.

The meeting also marked six months of the BJP government in Odisha, with the Chief Minister reaffirming his administration’s commitment to farmer welfare and efficient governance.