Purchased 7.11 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers in the first week

In the first week from December 1, 2019 to December 6, 2019, 7 lakh 11 thousand 306 metric tons of paddy have been purchased from one lakh 73 thousand 491 farmers. More than 700 crore rupees have been paid to one lakh 26 thousand 897 farmers who sold paddy. Secretary of Food Department informed that effective action is being taken to rein in the efforts to procure paddy from genuine farmers of the state to ensure purchase of paddy. At the same time effective action is being taken on paddy coming from other states and on coaches, middlemen. As on 7 December 2019, 2 thousand 138 coaches have been seized in a total of 2 thousand 270 cases and 29 thousand 170 tonnes of illegal paddy in 132 interstate cases, in which action has been taken against 260 vehicles. No action is being taken against any farmer. In all cases, action has been taken in cases of paddy procurement in which there is no mandi license or other documents such as purchase leaflets. He said that there is no restriction in the state on the purchase of paddy from farmers by legitimate traders. As per the announcement made by the Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly, small traders have been allowed to collect 10 quintals instead of 4 quintals under the Mandi Act in relation to the same type of agricultural produce. Paddy procurement in the state will be done by its full term till 15 February 2020.