Principal Secretary of Food and Civil Supplies

Department VV Yadav, who was on a visit to  Bargarh on Tuesday,

asked the officials to keep a close watch on paddy from Chhattisgarh

coming to Odisha/Bargarh market yards through local Dalals for sale

as Odisha is giving better price than the neighbouring State.

“Halt the paddy loaded vehicles of Chhatisgarh till end of the

procuring season and take stringent legal action against all involved in

the racket,” Yadav told the officials during a review meeting.

“Since paddy from Chhatisgarh is creating a lot of problems for the

State and the Dalals are getting the benefit, the administration needs

to be extra vigilant,” Yadav said.

The Principal Secretary accompanied by MD of State Civil Supply

Corporation Subham Saxena, Registrar of Cooperative Societies

Uddhab Majhi, Bargarh Collector Monisha Banerjee, ADM, CSO, all

Sub Collectors and senior officials reviewed the issues to streamline

paddy procurement for the Dalua paddy so that the farmers will have

a hassle free experience. The paddy collection would continue for

almost a month from May 12 in the district.

Since the region is facing scorching summer and harvesting is going

on, the Principal Secretary asked the district administration and the

Regulated Market Committee (RMC) officials to provide basic

amenities at the market yards, including drinking water, shade,

temporary shelter centres, electricity connections in yards and

accurate weighing machines etc. He also asked to remain prepared for

the unpredicted rains and save paddy without any wastage.

He asked the officials to develop permanent infrastructure in the

market yards so that farmers will get the required facilities there.

Yadav asked the millers of the district to cooperate wholeheartedly

during the entire procurement process.