Paddy procurement from 1st week of December

PNS|Bapatla

District Collector Vijaya Krishnan directed the officials to begin the procurement of paddy from the farmers in the first week of December and she released posters on the purchasing of paddy produce.

The Collector held a meeting with the officials concerned and rice millers here on Tuesday. She spoke with the rice millers on the purchasing of paddy produce from the farmers and made some suggestions to them. She directed the officials to take up purchasing paddy following the guidelines. The Collector warned that there would be no tolerance if anyone made a mistake in the purchase of paddy produce from the farmers.

Vijaya Krishnan said that the government has announced the support price for the paddy for the Kharif season. The purchase of paddy should begin in the first week of December at Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs). The authorities should go ahead with a comprehensive plan to carry out the process systematically, she directed them.

She said that the farmers produce about 5.60 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the Bapatla district during the Kharif. The government is ready to buy 1.40 lakh metric tonnes of paddy primarily excluding public needs. Government guidelines and regulations should be followed in the purchase of paddy from farmers. Officials should take steps to ensure that quality standards are followed, she told them.

“There are 89 rice mills in the district of which 79 rice mills are purchasing the paddy produce. The paddy produce is also being purchased at 153 RBKs in the district. The officials should take immediate steps to rectify errors and flaws if found in purchasing paddy produce from the farmers. Action will be initiated against the officials for laxity in this regard. The officials and rice millers should act with social responsibility in purchasing paddy produce from the farmers.” she told the officials.

Joint Collector K Srinivasulu said that estimation of the production of paddy was made using e-crop booking. The required number of gunny bags were supplied to the RBKs to purchase paddy produce. The JC informed that the government has fixed the price of the normal variety of paddy at Rs 2,040 per quintal and Rs 2,060 per Grade-A, adding that needed training would be given to the staff concerned to resolve the technical problems in purchasing the paddy produce from the farmers. District Civil Supplies DM Srilakshmi, and Civil Supplies office Williams were among those who were present.