A tentative quantum of 41 lakh metric tonnes of rice (60 lakh MT in terms of paddy) will be procured from farmers of the State during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMC) 2019-20 as per the Food and Procurement Policy approved by the State Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Lok Seva Bhavan here on Thursday.
While 50 lakh MT of Kharif paddy would be procured between November 2019 and March 2020 and 10 LMG of Rabi paddy will be bought from farmers from May to June 2020. for Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2019-2020.
The Government, however, said that there is no bar for procurement of any higher quantum of paddy if more crops come to mandis.
Farmers were earlier registered through the online portal of FS and CW Department. Aadhaar will be the only ID proof for a farmer to sell paddy crops to the Government. Procuring societies will endeavor to bring more and more small and marginal farmers into the procurement fold.
The crops will be procured at the minimum support price (MSP) declared by the Centre. The MSP for common variety is set at Rs 1,815 per quintal and for Grade- A variety is Rs 1,835 per quintal.
The procured paddy must conform to FAQ specifications. Purchase of paddy below MSP will be a punishable offence under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation will procure paddy through PACS, LAMPCS, WSHGs and Pani Panchayats in all the districts of the State. More WSHGs will be engaged this year.
Payments to the farmers will be made between 24 and 48 hours of the sale of crops at the Mandis. The payment will be made directly to their bank accounts.
As Odisha requires 24 LMT of rice for its PDS, the surplus amount will be delivered to central pool through the Food Corporation of India. Hundred per cent delivery of custom milled rice (CMR) of previous KMS by custom millers is a precondition for participation in procurement operations in KMC 2019-20.
Rice millers that owe any dues to State agencies shall not be allowed to participate in the procurement process. District administrations and State agencies would take necessary stops to prevent distress sale of paddy.
