Mamta Banerjee’s government in Bengal has released Rs.1600 cr for paddy procurement for the farmers, raising the total amount allocated to the purpose to 5100 cr since November last year.
The move is to ensure that maximum farmers get the Minimum Support Price (MSP) offered by the State. The MSP for paddy is Rs 1770 per quintal wherein the market prices are floating around Rs 1400 to Rs 1450.
The target is to procure 50 lakh tonnes of paddy by September. However, the government plans to buy the maximum quantity by February to make sure that small farmers don’t go for distress sales.
The state has decided to involve self-help groups and cooperatives in the process to make it smoother, the farmers won’t have to travel long distances in this case. The state shall also issue account payee checks to farmers when they visit a procurement center to sell their produce to prevent delay in payments.
It’s believed that the Chief Minister is monitoring the situation on a regular basis since the procurement started in November. “A total of 72 lakh farmers in the state hold immense importance in terms of electoral success. We cannot take any risk of making farmers hostile,” a Trinamool MLA said.
