Odisha ramps up surveillance, transparency measures ahead of Kharif marketing season
OdishaPlus Bureau
With less than a month remaining until the inaugural Kharif marketing season under the BJP administration, and with farmers poised to receive an increased price of Rs 3,100 per quintal, the Odisha government is concerned about the potential influx of paddy from neighboring states attracted by this favorable pricing.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi instructed officials from various departments and collectors in bordering districts to enhance surveillance measures to thwart such unauthorized activities. The government plans to install CCTVs and smart cameras along border roads and enforcement teams will be deployed for continuous monitoring of all vehicles entering the state.
Highest Price
Odisha currently provides the highest support price for paddy, which increases the likelihood of produce being imported from neighboring states. The Chief Minister, recognizing this potential, urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant to protect the interests of the state’s farmers.
During a review of the preparations for paddy procurement in the Kharif marketing season, set to commence on November 1, Majhi detailed several initiatives aimed at ensuring a transparent and efficient process for farmers.
Numerous Complaints
Historically, paddy procurement in the state has been plagued by numerous complaints regarding widespread irregularities, farmer exploitation and corruption. Reforming the procurement system to enhance transparency and support for farmers was a significant electoral promise made by the BJP, alongside the commitment to a support price of Rs 3,100 per quintal for farmers.
Majhi cautioned officials that any form of irregularity during the paddy procurement process would be unacceptable. He noted that the government’s initiative to provide an additional bonus of Rs 800 per quintal, in addition to the minimum support price, has sparked significant enthusiasm among farmers.
To promote transparency in the procurement process, one minister will be assigned to oversee one or two districts as an observer, serving as a direct point of contact for the government. Ministers will actively visit mandis, engage with farmers to understand their issues and provide immediate solutions. Relevant departments will collaborate closely with district collectors, he stressed.
Central Dashboard
The chief minister instructed the Cooperation department to assign one officer to each mandi to ensure the efficient management of the procurement process. Additionally, there will be one supervisor for every four to five mandis. A central dashboard will be established to monitor all activities and the Quality Council of India will be consulted for assistance in paddy procurement, he stated.
The meeting conveyed that automatic grain analyzers will be installed in 200 large mandis, while manual analyzers will be utilized in smaller mandis. Quality analysts and supervisors will be responsible for inspecting and certifying the quality of paddy at procurement centers.
Big Target
Previously, the chief minister announced that the state government plans to procure one crore quintals of paddy, which is equivalent to 68 lakh quintals of rice, during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25.
Additionally, district collectors were instructed to address the ongoing issue regarding the time-lapse of online tokens issued to farmers, which specify delivery dates and times for paddy at the mandis, by extending the timeline as necessary.
Present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, DGP YB Khurania and other senior officials. District collectors participated in the meeting via virtual means.
