Rainfall in Odisha: Govt vows to procure paddy compromising FAQ standards

Odisha Government assured the perturbed farmers on Tuesday that the entire paddy will be procured, despite quality concerns arising from adverse weather conditions.

Heavy rainfall has led to fears of crop damage, yet Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra affirmed that the Government will purchase the produce, even if it fails to meet the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) standards. District Collectors have been instructed to ensure this support, the Minister asserted.

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Farmers whose selling time, or token time, has elapsed will be granted an additional 15 days to sell their crops. Additionally, time extensions will be available for the drying of wet paddy prior to the sale. While some mandis or agricultural markets remain closed due to rain, new ones will not open prematurely.

Compensation schemes are in place for farmers affected by the rains, the Minister said.

“We will procure paddy from every farmer and will not harass anyone. In case any shortfall is found in the FAQ standards of paddy, I have directed the District Collectors to compromise and procure the produce,” the Food Supply Minister assured.

Currently, around 7,50,000 metric tonnes of paddy have been procured, and Rs 2,100 Crore has been transferred directly to the bank accounts of about 1,50,000 farmers. No complaints in the transaction process have been reported so far.

Furthermore, earlier on Monday, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed preparations to compensate for losses due to heavy rains.

“Ganjam district was more affected due to the incessant rain. I was in touch with the District Collectors of southern Odisha and have directed them for an early assessment. In the meanwhile, the rainwater has receded and damage assessment can be carried out, which was not possible beforehand,” the Revenue Minister said mediapersons.

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“Revenue staff from non-affected areas will also be pressed into service to facilitate an early damage assessment, which is to be completed within three to four days. I want to assure the farmers not to perturb at all,” the Revenue Minister expressed.

“Natural calamities will come and go. The State government will compensate their losses by standing beside them as a Raksha Kavach,” Minister Pujari assured.