BALOD,CG,BHARAT: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday inaugurated state-wide Paddy Procurement Festival, where farmers can sell paddy at a support price. 

The event began at the Bhanthagaon (B) paddy procurement center in Balod district, marking the start of the paddy procurement season, which will run from November 14, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Upon arriving at the centre, Chief Minister Sai participated in a ceremony honoring the weighing instruments and welcomed the farmers with garlands. He extended his congratulations to the farmers on the commencement of the Paddy Procurement Festival.

In the Chief Minister’s presence, farmers Bhagbali and  Hariram from Bhanthagaon sold 148 quintals and 65 quintals of paddy, respectively, and were pleased to participate in the inaugural sale. Tokens for six farmers were issued for paddy sales on Thursday 14 at the centre. 

Additionally, Chief Minister Sai inaugurated the newly built branch of the District Service Cooperative Central Bank in Mohandipat, Gunderdehi block, constructed at a cost of Rs 30 lakh. Before the ceremony, he paid homage to Chhattisgarh Mahtari and inaugurated the event by lighting a lamp in front of oil paintings of martyrs Birsa Munda and Gahira Guru.

Paddy purchases at the support price will continue for registered farmers until January 31, 2025. The state government has arranged for payments to be made directly to farmers' bank accounts within 72 hours of sale. Across the state, 2,739 centers have been set up for procurement. This year, 27,01,109 registered farmers have sown paddy across 34,51,729 hectares, including 1,35,891 newly registered farmers.