Bhubaneswar, Dec 13: Already, 3.58 lakh metric tonne worth of paddy has been procured from farmers. The total cost of the paddy procured will be Rs.525 crores and government has already paid Rs.409 crore to farmers online, said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma today.
After a review meeting with the Food Supplies and Cooperative department officials, Dasburma informed that, Paddy procurement is underway in nine districts through 255 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS). While speaking on the issue, Minister said, demonetization has affected paddy procurement in the state and farmers are facing difficulties in withdrawing money.
Criticising the State government on the issue, PCC President Prasad Harichandan said, government is not providing minimum support price (MSP) to the farmers. Also, he has condemned the arrest of farmers’ leaders like Akshaya Kumar and Seshadeb Nanda.
