Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Saturday reviewed the departmental work of the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department, focusing on Kharif paddy procurement and the efficiency of the public distribution system (PDS). She provided key directions to ensure smooth operations and timely benefits to farmers.
The meeting, held at Lok Seva Bhawan, was attended by Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, heads of the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department, Commissioner of the Cooperative Department, Secretary Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Director of Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, and other senior officials.
Officials informed that 19,67,812 farmers have registered for the 2025-26 paddy procurement season. The total Kharif paddy cultivation area for the season is 61,67,414 acres. In 2024-25, 73.45 lakh metric tons of Kharif paddy and 19.18 lakh metric tons of Rabi paddy were procured. As of January 3, 2026, procurement has started in 18 districts, with 11.84 lakh metric tons of paddy procured from 2,71,318 farmers. Preparations for district-level procurement in other areas are ongoing.
To facilitate smooth transactions, the department has adopted technical measures, including satellite monitoring of procurement, linking farmers with cooperative societies, implementing token systems, quality checks, and organizing mill-based procurement. Farmers receive payments directly in their bank accounts within 48 hours. The Chief Secretary reviewed mill standards, collection procedures, and overall system management, offering necessary guidance.
The meeting also highlighted the use of CCTV monitoring, mobile apps for mandi officers, online tracking of paddy transportation, and rapid redressal of delays. A 24-hour call center and feedback services have been activated to ensure seamless operations.
For procurement, 1,418 mills have been deployed across the state. With increasing volumes, smart warehouses have been planned for safe rice storage. About 2,600 primary agricultural cooperative societies, 400 women self-help groups, and various water panchayats are involved in nearly 4,000 procurement centers. Additionally, 162 government warehouses with a total capacity of 6.5 lakh metric tons are operational.
Over 11,700 affordable consumer shops are functioning efficiently, providing rationed rice to more than 3.27 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act and the state food security scheme. E-KYC verification of 96% of beneficiaries has been completed.
Expressing satisfaction over the modernization of paddy procurement and PDS, Chief Secretary Garg stressed prioritizing farmers’ interests, ensuring timely facilities at mandis, and eliminating inconveniences.
She reiterated that call centers and control rooms will continuously monitor operations, and necessary directions have been issued for smooth management.
