Target to Procure 51 Lakh Tonnes Paddy This Year: Nadendla
He criticised the millers for showing negligence in processing paddy and delivering it to the government
Visakhapatnam: Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar stated that the state government had set a record target to procure 51 lakh metric tonnes of paddy this year and assured farmers that payments would be credited within 24 hours of procurement.
During his tour to Vizianagaram district, the minister visited Rachakindam village in Bondapalli mandal and interacted with farmers.
He emphasised that the current government would not allow farmers to face any difficulties.
"While 31 lakh tonnes of paddy were procured last year, this year we will procure 51 lakh tonnes, setting a new record," the minister stated, adding that 97.6 per cent of farmers received their payments within 24 hours.
He pointed out that the previous government had procured only 29 lakh tonnes in its final year and left arrears of `1,674 crore for farmers and approximately `1,100 crore for millers.
The minister revealed an innovative initiative where fine variety rice procured from farmers is being supplied to approximately 36,000 schools and 4,000 hostels for midday meals.
The minister further expressed strong disappointment with rice millers in the district over their slow progress in grain processing and delivery to the government.
He criticised the millers for showing negligence in processing paddy and delivering it to the government.
Nadendla questioned why they were lagging behind in Custom Milled Rice (CMR) operations, expressing dissatisfaction that only 17 per cent of the work had been completed so far.
He noted that despite the government providing relaxation on bank guarantees to district millers, they were not showing adequate attention to milling operations.
The minister directed the millers to process 150 quintals per day and complete 45,000 metric tonnes by the January 8.
