Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken significant steps to safeguard farmers’ interests by implementing a robust monitoring mechanism for the paddy procurement process. With all necessary arrangements in place, the government aims to ensure that no eligible farmer faces issues during the procurement process.
To achieve this, a Central Control Room has been established at the Odisha State Civil Supply Corporation. This facility is designed to promptly address any irregularities and prioritize farmers’ needs, enabling them to lodge complaints immediately through the toll-free number 1967. Additionally, nodal officers have been appointed at each mandi to monitor the process and ensure smooth functioning.
The control room has been closely monitoring mandis across all districts. Between November 1, 2024, and January 15, 2025, it handled nearly 6.5 lakh calls, including incoming, outgoing, and Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) communications. Incoming calls totaled over 1,04,000, with a majority related to token generation. Outgoing calls exceeded 1,12,000, focusing primarily on gathering feedback from farmers and verifying sharecroppers’ details. Furthermore, over 4,29,000 calls were made using IVRS, of which around 3,15,000 were token-related.
This centralized system reflects the Odisha government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency in paddy procurement. The control room will continue its operations during both the Kharif and Rabi seasons, ensuring timely grievance resolution and protecting the interests of the farming community.
