Dilute role of middlemen in paddy procurement: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Government agencies to procure 10 lakh MT paddy from farmers

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: After the drive to eliminate middlemen from land-related works, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma now wants to dilute the role of middlemen in paddy procurement. Due to an inadequate number of procurement centres and middlemen, paddy farmers are often left with no option but to sell their paddy at rates lower than the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

While interacting with Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Circle Officers, District Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Development Officers through video conference from Janata Bhavan on Monday, Chief Minister Sarma said that due to lack of proper procurement mechanism and committed efforts, the majority of the paddy produced in the State is procured by middlemen depriving the farmers of fair price. The State Government has, therefore, decided to bring an end to such a situation so that farmers could be economically benefitted.

In a bid to sensitize the farmers on the paddy procurement drive and to expedite the process, the State Government will organize special gaon sabha across Assam on January 16, said the Chief Minister. He added that due to dedicated efforts of the present State Government, Central and State agencies such as Food Corporation of India (FCI), Assam Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd (AFCSCL), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), National Federation of Farmers' Procurement, Processing and Retailing Cooperatives of India Ltd (NACOF), National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) and Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board (ASAMB) have agreed to procure 10 lakh MT paddy from farmers at MSP of Rs 1,940 per quintal. As all land records in the State are not integrated with the Dharitri portal, the Union Government has also allowed manual registration of farmers up to September 30.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has geared up to carry out the paddy procurement in a mission mode and has notified 194 paddy procurement centres in the State, out of which 166 have been already opened. He also informed that realization of the target of procurement will greatly benefit the farmers apart from infusing over Rs 2,000 crore into the state economy.

The video conference was also attended by senior officials of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Agriculture and Revenue Departments and representatives of FCI Regional Office and other procurement agencies, including AFCSCL, NAFED, NACOF, NCCF and ASAMB. While Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass and Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan were present along with others at Janata Bhavan, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora joined the video conference from Golaghat. Several MPs, MLAs also took part in the VC from their respective districts.

The Chief Minister directed to form a standing committee with Principal Secretaries of FCS&CA, Agriculture and Revenue Department to guide the DCs and other officers and to sort out all issues relating to paddy procurement. The Chief Minister asked the members of the committee to hold a weekly review with officials concerned, including the procurement agencies, and to expedite the process.

Moreover, to facilitate prompt registration of farmers at the procurement portal and to address land-related issues so that manual registration can be done expeditiously, the Chief Minister directed to authorize Circle Officers, gaon burhas and lot mandals to issue a necessary certificate to farmers.

Underlining the need for massive awareness among farmers for the success of the initiative, the Chief Minister stressed extensive publicity in the State to sensitize farmers. He said that the gaon sabha to be organized across Assam on January 16 would play an important role in making the farmers aware of the benefits of the procurement drive. He also urged the MPs and MLAs to take an active part in the gaon sabhas to turn the procurement drive into a major success.

The Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Commissioners to actively engage the Circle Officers and Agriculture District Officers (ADOs) in sensitizing the farmers and hold a regular review with field officials and procurement agencies to speed up the progress. He also advised the DCs to procure moisture meters and provide them to ADOs to test the level of moisture of paddy to facilitate smooth procurement at PPCs. The Chief Minister also directed the FCS&CA Department to take necessary steps for increasing the number of PPCs in the State so that farmers can sell their produce in a hassle-free manner.

Moreover, according approval to the extension of the Incentivization of Rice Milling Scheme, the Chief Minister asked the DCs to sensitize millers on the benefits of the scheme. He also urged FCI to take necessary measures to address issues raised by millers and coordinate with the standing committee and district administration to settle procurement related matters.

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