RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: The state of Chhattisgarh is set to begin paddy procurement at support prices on November 14, as part of the government’s priority to support local farmers. Extensive preparations have been made across all 2,739 procurement centres statewide. This season, 27,01,109 farmers are registered, including 1,35,891 new farmers and an additional 1,36,263 hectares of newly registered land.

Biometric devices will be used at all centres to facilitate the purchasing process, with small, marginal, and large farmers eligible to sell their paddy at fixed support prices. Token applications opened on November 7, allowing small and marginal farmers a maximum of two tokens and large farmers three.

From November 14, 2024, to January 31, 2025, farmers can bring their paddy to procurement centres, where electronic weighing systems have been installed to ensure timely transactions. Millers and transporters are assigned to clear paddy from centres promptly. Additionally, all centres are equipped with adequate resources, including gunny bags, shade, and water.

Complaint helplines are displayed at procurement centres, with a control room set up for grievance redressal at the marketing association’s headquarters. Markfed has arranged for prompt payments to farmers within 72 hours of sale, with “Micro ATM” facilities available for fund withdrawal in committees for added convenience.

In a concerted effort to curb illegal activities, a special state-level action plan led by the Additional Chief Secretary is targeting bogus paddy procurement across divisions. Surveillance measures include check posts in border areas, a district-specific list of authorized traders under the Mandi Act, and ongoing re-verification of crop records via a NIC-developed mobile app.

Markfed is setting up an integrated control centre for real-time monitoring of rice mills and procurement centres. Additionally, a team of senior officials is appointed to continuously monitor district-level procurement, with the directive to visit each allotted district at least three times during the procurement period. Immediate actions will be taken on any complaints received, with follow-up reports provided to concerned authorities.