Mismanagement at paddy procurement centres: Cong

Raipur, December 01, 2012

Congress on Saturday said that mismanagement prevailed at paddy procurement centres was causing inconvenience to the farmers. “The government started purchasing paddy at minimum support price (MSP) from November 1, 2012, but could not address the problems of farmers and provide adequate facilities at procurement centres even in one month,” said Congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla.

“The chief minister Raman Singh and his government first remained engaged in pomp shows like Rajyotsav 2012, global investors’ meet and nagar suraj abhiyan and then launched mahila utthan yatra to deceive womenfolk of the state. Meanwhile, the dejected condition in paddy procurement centres could not be improved due to government’s indifference,” he alleged.

“The government’s attitude makes it evident that it paddy procurement has never been its priority. Since the procurement centres have limited storage space and the already purchased paddy have not been transported to godowns yet, they procurement process has virtually come to a halt. Hence, the farmers have to wait for their turn for three-four days,” he said.

“The government has purchased only 9 lakh tonne paddy in 30 days, much less than previous year’s figures. As the government claims of purchasing 60 lakh tonne paddy last year, it should have procured at least 20 lakh tonne paddy in one month. Similarly, only one lakh tonne procured paddy has been transported to the godowns,” he pointed.

He said the paddy procurement system hindered because the government delayed in hiring transporters for shifting of purchased paddy from centres to godowns.

“Another reason for deceleration of paddy procurement is strike of Markfed (marketing federation) staff. Since, the employees of Markfed and cooperative societies pay key role in paddy procurement process, the government should have taken initiative to end the strike of Markfed staff,” he said.

“Since the government is anti-farmer, it is not improving condition in procurement centres. It has not even made necessary arrangements to save farmers’ paddy from rains. Therefore, the farmers’ incurred loss during showers in the first fortnight of procurement,” he said.