Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, Krushna Chandra Patra, has strongly refuted allegations leveled by Congress MLAs Ramachandra Kadam, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, and C.S. Rajan Ekka that the state government has failed in procuring paddy from farmers and that deductions of 8 to 15 kg per farmer under ‘katni chatni’ were rampant.
Responding to the adjournment motion moved in the Odisha Assembly, Minister Patra emphasized that the state government has taken extensive measures to ensure transparency and efficiency in the paddy procurement process during the current Kharif season (2024-25).
He informed the House that as of February 17, 2025, a total of 61.77 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured from 13,57,224 farmers, amounting to Rs 14,208 crores in Minimum Support Price (MSP) payments, with an additional Rs 4,942 crores disbursed as input subsidy under the Samruddha Krushak Yojana. This totals Rs 19,150 crores paid to farmers at the MSP rate of Rs 3,100 per quintal.
The Minister stated that contrary to the opposition’s claims, paddy procurement has increased significantly compared to the previous year. In the last Kharif season (2023-24), 55.39 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured, while this year’s procurement has already surpassed that figure by 6.38 lakh metric tonnes. The procurement process will continue until March 31, ensuring all saleable paddy is purchased from registered farmers.
To curb issues related to ‘katni chatni’ and ensure fair assessment of paddy quality, the government has provided quality testing equipment at procurement centers, including 200 AI-based Grain Analyzers on a trial basis and 140 modern mobile paddy cleaning machines. Additionally, 1,758 quality analysts have been appointed to expedite testing and prevent arbitrary deductions.
The state has also implemented several farmer-friendly measures, such as extending the token period by 15 days upon the district collector’s approval and proactively reminding farmers through phone calls if they have not brought their paddy to procurement centers within the token period. A Minister-Level Sub-Committee has been formed to review and resolve procurement-related issues, meeting three times this season to address farmers’ concerns.
To prevent the influx of paddy from neighbouring states, CCTV cameras and camera-mounted vehicles have been deployed at district entry points. Moreover, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) on the toll-free number 1967 has been introduced, allowing farmers to check their land eligibility, sales details, and payments through their registered mobile numbers.
Addressing concerns over losses due to unseasonal rains in December, the Minister informed that Rs 1,779.8 crores have been provided as compensation to 4,91,168 affected farmers, while insurance companies have disbursed Rs 45.67 crores to 2.08 lakh affected farmers.
Minister Patra concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to a transparent and farmer-friendly procurement system, welcoming suggestions from MLAs while dismissing allegations of failure as baseless.
