Amid scattered rains in parts of Chhattisgarh, top officials on Thursday checked the large quantities of paddy stored at the procurement centres to ensure their safety from shower-related damage and seepage.
In response to an appeal from Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, District Collectors inspected the procurement centres to oversee the arrangements vis-a-vis rain water.
The Collectors directed those in charge of the procurement centres to provide better coverage to the stacked paddy bags. They also called for measures to protect the stored paddy from termites, rats, theft or fire, an official communication said.
The Chief Minister earlier told the Collectors to ensure the safety of the paddy bought from farmers and kept at the procurement centres.
Baghel insisted that the stored paddy should be covered adequately and proper drainage of water must be ensured at the procurement centres.
He also directed the officials to expedite the paddy for custom milling. The Collectors were told to assess damage of standing crops if any. If loss is reported, then based on the Revenue Book, financial assistance should be released to those affected, he said.
The government has built around 8,000 platforms in this fiscal year at the procurement centres.
