Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will remove an AgriStack ID-related clause from the paddy registration form from Tuesday to clear confusion among farmers over token issuance for paddy procurement, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said on Monday.
Patra said all farmers would be allowed to register for Kharif paddy procurement and every eligible farmer would get a token, irrespective of whether they have an AgriStack ID.
“Today, MLAs from western Odisha came here and we discussed in detail the issues related to the ongoing Kharif registration. I want to make it clear that all farmers can register for Kharif paddy procurement. There will be no issues and every farmer will get a token,” Patra told reporters.
The minister said confusion had arisen because of a line in the registration form stating that farmers having an AgriStack ID would be issued a token.
“We will remove that line from tomorrow and everyone will get the token. We will procure paddy from all farmers and there will be no issues,” Patra said.
Patra also assured farmers that the government had no intention of harassing them and would take steps to simplify the registration process.
“Our government has no intention of harassing farmers. We are ready to simplify the process for farmers in every possible way. Farmers should first complete their registration and everyone should obtain their token,” he said.
The minister said registration for paddy procurement would remain open until August 31, adding that the deadline could be extended if required.
“Paddy registration will remain open until August 31. If necessary, we will extend the registration deadline,” he said.
The clarification came after MLAs from western Odisha, including Baragada, Sambalpur and Balangir, raised concerns over the ongoing Kharif paddy registration process and discussed the issue with the minister.
