RAIPUR: Raipur Collector and District Magistrate Dr. Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure on Wednesday inaugurated the paddy procurement by offering puja at the procurement centre located at Mandir Hasaud in the district.

The state-wide procurement of paddy began at a minimum support price at the primary societies.

Paddy procurement has started at Raipur district with Raipur collector welcoming farmer Ganesh Ram Banjare, who arrived at the centre. Banjare sold 30 quintals in the centre.

Collector asked the concerned departmental officers to provide gunny bags in the centre, cap covers to protect the paddy from rain, hygrometer to measure moisture and calibration, appointment of employees and data entry operators in the procurement centre, adequate number of assistants, and first aid.

He also asked to ensure arrangement of drinking water for the farmers coming for registration. He said that concrete arrangements should be made for purchasing paddy in other centres of the district also so that the farmers do not face any problem. There are 139 paddy procurement centers in the district.

Last year 52 lakh quintals of paddy was purchased in the district and the target is to purchase 68 lakh quintals in the current season.