Cooperative Minister Reviews Paddy Procurement, Sets Target for 100% Achievement

Today on 19.12.2024, Dr. Prem Kumar, Hon'ble Minister, Cooperative Department reviewed the state level paddy procurement.

The Hon'ble Minister expressed concern over the purchase of only about 10% of paddy after one and a half months of procurement. He directed all the officials to make necessary preparations and efforts to achieve the remaining target in the remaining period. In the review of East and West Champaran, it was found that there is a big difference between the committees selected for paddy procurement and the active committees.

Due to these inactive committees, paddy procurement in both the districts is much less than the previous state level average. The concerned District Cooperative Officer informed that due to lack of quorum and internal deadlock in the newly elected PACS, the committees are not able to become active.

The Hon'ble Minister directed to solve these problems and make alternative arrangements. Supaul district was appreciated for its best performance in procurement in the state so far, Supaul has also started supplying rice. The Minister also directed other district cooperative officials to speed up their procurement on the basis of Supaul's working system. During the review, it was directed that at present an average of 32 thousand MT of paddy is being procured per day, which can be achieved only by increasing it to an average of 75 thousand MT of paddy.

The Honorable Minister directed that the complaints of the farmers should be taken cognizance of and their immediate solution should be found. During the review, it was told that taking advantage of the online app for advance booking of paddy procurement by the Cooperative Department, continuous booking is being done by the farmers and till now 1138 farmers have booked for the sale of 12203 MT of paddy.

The booking done on this app is being done by PACS, out of which paddy has been purchased from 174 farmers so far. In this regard, it was directed that the District Cooperative Officer should ensure timely purchase of paddy booked in advance. The Nodal Officer informed that this year, by providing special facility to the farmers in purchase, an opportunity has been provided to sell paddy as per convenience within the maximum quantity prescribed for Rayat and non-Rayat. Last year, a provision of not more than two times was made which has been relaxed this year.

The Honorable Minister, while addressing all the officials, said that this year the 100% target of paddy procurement should be achieved and marginal and small farmers should be benefited in maximum numbers. The departmental officers of the headquarters should regularly visit the area and the Joint Registrar, Cooperative Societies should ensure regular monitoring in the area.