Bhubaneswar: Paddy procurement will begin in Odisha within a week, informed Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Suppliers, Consumer Welfare and Science & Technology on Thursday. Registration for the procurement of Rabi crop has been completed. This time we have taken 20 districts. Earlier, registration was being done in 17 districts. After registration, a satellite survey will be done, said the Minister. The minister said that the process of purchasing paddy will start within a week. He also informed that after the paddy procurement the money will be credited to the farmers’ account within 48 hours. He also said that a Nodal officer will be there in the mandi. Our target is 15 lakh metric tonnes. In the first phase, we have targeted to collect 10 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, he said. There will not be any ‘katni chhatni’ and strong action will be taken against the persons found practising this, he added. While talking about paddy procurement, the Food Suppliers, Consumer Welfare, Science & Technology minister also informed that there will be a science city in Bhubaneswar. The CM has already started work for this. That is why I recently went to see the science city in Ahmedabad. Such a science city will be established in Odisha. Besides, there will be science parks in all districts, he said.
Paddy procurement to start within 7 days in Odisha: Food Supplies Minister
