Theni: ‘Theni district is planning to purchase 30 thousand metric tons of paddy by September 2023’, Tamil Nadu Consumer Goods Trade Corporation, Theni Senior Regional Manager, Senthil Kumar said.
In the agrarian district of Theni, two-phase and three-phase paddy cultivation is practiced in a large area.
In order to provide the price fixed by the government for the rice that has been cultivated in the sweat of the forehead, the consumer trading corporation has started the government’s direct rice purchase station in many places in the district and purchases rice directly from the farmers.
Also, Consumer Goods Corporation provides services to ration shops with essential food items required by the people. Regarding the service of this department, Dinamalar Antudan Senior Zonal Manager Senthilkumar said:
How many paddy procurement stations are there in the district?
Paddy procurement stations are functioning at 12 places namely Keeza Vadakarai, Mellamangalam 1, 2., Jayamangalam, Thamaraikkulam, Kullapuram, Chattakoilpatti, Kengwarpatti, Kampam, Kudalur, Chinnamanur, Uttampalayam.
This year’s purchase target
23 thousand tons of paddy has been procured from October 2021 to September 2022 in the district. In the current year, it is planned to purchase 30 thousand tons of paddy by September.
What is the price of paddy?
A kg of small paddy at procurement stations is Rs. 20.60 and the common variety is purchased at Rs.20.15. Farmers are given an incentive of Rs.100 per 100 kg for Channarak and Rs.75 for general.
Is there a shortage of weighing machines at procurement stations?
There is no dearth of weighing machines and logistics equipment at procurement stations. Procurement stations are being prepared in areas where harvesting will begin in consultation with the Agriculture Department officials. There is no shortage of supplies at paddy procurement stations. A few years ago, farmers used to harvest a small area at once. At present more than 100 acres are being harvested in a single day through machinery, resulting in high paddy supply.
Weighing machines are in short supply in the competition to see who can weigh themselves the fastest.
Will a permanent paddy purchase station be set up?
Work is underway to set up a standing paddy procurement station in the area of Muniandi Temple, Thamaraikulam, Periyakulam Taluk. Seat selection is also going on in Kampam, Kudalur and Chinnamanur areas. After selecting the location, a permanent paddy procurement station will be set up.
Will a rice mill be set up?
Construction of a rice mill with a capacity of 200 tonnes is underway in the district.
What are the steps taken to prevent malpractices at procurement stations?
Manpower has been increased in paddy procurement stations.
No complaints so far. Three billboards are placed at procurement stations.
It contains instructions for farmers, collector, chief officer of trade association, my contact numbers, anti-bribery department number etc. to lodge complaints. Farmers can complain about it. A complaint box has been kept at the procurement stations. This box is under direct observation of the collector.
Preservation of paddy In the district, paddy is procured during Samba, Kurvai and Thaladi seasons. No open storage of paddy. It is procured from procurement stations and sent to grinding mills.
Goods supplied to ration shops are taken by pioneer cooperatives from the CMC warehouse on complaint of underweight. We check the weight of the goods in the presence of the administrative staff of the association.
They also check and take action. The entire warehouse is monitored by surveillance cameras.
How much ration food is given in a month. The amount of food given to ration shops varies from month to month. This month, 7 thousand 81 tons of rice, 508 tons of sugar, 137 tons of wheat, 329 tons of groundnut and 373 tons of palm oil have been provided. Nothing is lacking.
The low-quality rice that the government has asked to be returned has not yet been delivered to the district.
He said that action will be taken if there are complaints about such provision.