nMore than 2.49 lakh new farmers will sell paddy this year and 260 new paddy procurement centres have been created, the Chhattisgarh government announced on Thursday.

A high-level meeting to review the preparedness of paddy procurement was held on Thursday, a press          statement said.

Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Subrah Sahoo and Secretary (Food) Dr Kamalpreet Singh reviewed the readiness with all Divisional Commissioners, Collectors, IGs, SPs and CEOs of Zila Panchayats.

The Secretaries said the paddy procurement will begin from December 1. The     farmers should not face any trouble at any procurement centre.

They said that tokens issued to farmers for selling paddy will be valid for one week. If a farmer is not able to sell paddy within the period, a new token will be given.

This year 2.49 lakh new farmers have registered for selling paddy and there has been an increase in the farming acreage too, the press release said.

The ‘Gidavari’ (survey of cultivated land) registration work was completed on November 10. After the commencement of procurement, no changes will be made in the acreage mentioned in the ‘Gidavari’ report.

Any changes in Gidavari should be completed by November 30. 

In case of irregularities in Gidavari report, officials will have to bear the responsibility, the press release quoted the Secretaries as telling the   meeting.  

Discussion was also held over availability of jute bags.