Amid protests over alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari affirmed the state government’s commitment to safeguarding farmers’ dignity. He emphasized transparency, assured income, and dignified living for all farmers as top priorities. Pujari attributed the procurement challenges to infrastructure limitations, increased farmer registrations, and a shift towards paddy cultivation, noting ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure.
Building infrastructure in Mandis is a phased process, with 973 development works underway to address the requirements. Pujari disclosed that 212 projects are completed, and 466 are nearing completion. Plans include establishing 100 model Mandis and constructing warehouses with a total capacity of 5 lakh metric tonnes. The government aims to modernize the mandi system, viewing current pressures as an opportunity for transformation.
Pujari highlighted the orderly and transparent progress of paddy procurement statewide, emphasizing the absence of chaos or payment delays. The government’s focus is on supporting small, marginal, and sharecropping farmers, followed by other categories. Notably, in the current season, over 63.46 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured, benefiting more than 14.83 lakh farmers, with the procurement process continuing until March 31.
