Odisha to strengthen infra of paddy procurement centres

By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Faced with criticism from completely different quarters over rotting paddy shares at mandis as a consequence of lack of correct storage amenities, the Odisha authorities has determined to create and strengthen infrastructure in any respect paddy procurement centres throughout the State.

As determined at a current high-level assembly, fundamental infrastructure corresponding to raised platforms, roof constructions, paddy godowns might be constructed at every paddy procurement centre.The Cooperation division has been entrusted to hold out the evaluation of the necessities and expenditure particulars on the earliest in order that the development works could be initiated instantly.

While the regulated market committee (RMC) will utilise the event charge realised from the paddy procurement, the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACS) and the Large-sized Adivasi Multipurpose Co-operative Societies (LAMCS) will utilise the fund obtained from the paddy procurement fee for the infrastructure at mandis.

Panchayat Samiti of the respective RMC, PACS and LAMCS will execute the tasks below the supervision of the Odisha State Agricultural Marketing Board. Technical approval for such building might be made by the authorised technical particular person obtainable within the district rural improvement company.

Although an satisfactory variety of market yards/paddy procurement centres is supplied to farmers at a really affordable distance for ease of promoting their surplus paddy, the obtainable infrastructure is discovered to be insufficient as a consequence of improve in arrival of paddy in mandis throughout procurement season.

With the State witnessing excessive progress in paddy procurement and dealing with new challenges throughout procurement operations yearly, the appearance of unseasonal rain and different adversarial weather conditions solely make issues worse. Farmers endure as paddy sacks get broken as a consequence of delay in lifting of shares.

A Cooperation division official stated deputy registrar of co-operative societies might be authorised to file requisition with the tehsildar involved for alienation of appropriate authorities land in favour of the division for building of raised platform, roof constructions and godowns the place no such facility is accessible.

“Collectors will be empowered to approve the plan and estimate for works to be undertaken by the RMCs, PACS and LAMCS irrespective of the value of the project,” he added. Odisha has procured 57.22 lakh metric tonne of paddy from 12.92 lakh farmers, together with 10.92 lakh small and marginal farmers, by way of round 2500 mandis in 30 districts this kharif season.