Bhubaneswar: Paddy procurement for the current Rabi season will commence in 17 districts of the State from May 1.
In order to prevent unauthorized entry of paddy from neighbouring States into mandis (procurement centres), the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare (FSCW) department has intensified surveillance activities.
Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Cooperation Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain has directed Field Officers to remain alert and intensify surveillance activities to ensure that registered and verified genuine farmers of these districts are able to benefit by selling Rabi paddy at minimum support price (MSP).
Paddy procurement for Rabi season at MSP will be carried out in the districts of Balasore, Bargarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Khordha, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur, and Subarnapur.
Field officers have been directed to mount regular surveillance by forming special squads at district and sub-division levels.
The FSCW department has written letters requesting the Collectors of the aforementioned districts and DG Police to take steps and measures to stop the unauthorized movement of paddy.
In the current Rabi season, paddy will be procured from registered and verified farmers only in the aforementioned 17 districts by issuing P-Pass and advance tokens.
There is an apprehension of unauthorized paddy sale by unscrupulous traders and people from neighbouring Chhattisgarh and border areas at mandis.
In view of this, district administrations in bordering districts have been asked for strict and regular checking to prevent the entry of unauthorized paddy.
Orders have been issued to take action as per law against individuals, millers, and unscrupulous traders involved in the illegal paddy trade.
Further, instructions have been issued to detain any vehicle caught in unauthorized transport of paddy till paddy procurement for the Rabi season is over.
