Step-up steps for paddy procurement: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed officials of FCS & C (Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs), Agriculture and Revenue and Disaster Management departments to step up measures for the procurement of paddy by various agencies, including FCI, AFCSCL, NAFED, NACOF, NCCF and ASAMB.

He met the officials of these three departments and representatives of the procurement agencies at Janata Bhawan today.

The State Government has set a target to procure 10 lakh MT of paddy at Minimum Support Price (MSP) from farmers to give them financial relief and make agriculture economically more viable.

The Chief Minister took stock of the steps taken by the departments and the procurement agencies and challenges faced by them, besides giving directions to ensure that only genuine farmers get benefits of this initiative.

To streamline and expedite paddy procurement, the Chief Minister asked the departments to increase the registration of farmers at the procurement portal. Further, to address all issues faced by farmers during registration, the Chief Minister directed the officers of the FCS&CA and Agriculture departments to make an extensive field visit. He also asked the Revenue Department to issue necessary guidelines to facilitate prompt issue of land-related certificates so that more farmers can register on the portal.

Underlining the need for generating more awareness among the farmers about the procurement drive, the Chief Minister directed the departments to carry out extensive publicity and sensitize farmers by the agricultural development officers.

Further, reviewing the steps taken by the paddy procurement agencies, the Chief Minister directed the agencies to open more Paddy Procurement Centres and conduct joint procurement drives in association with the Agriculture and FCS & CA departments, a press release said.

State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora was also present at the meeting.

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