Paddy Procurement In Odisha: Paddy procurement is going on in many states of the country. Paddy procurement is slow in Uttar Pradesh, so here the state government has given concession to the farmers that they can come and sell paddy in the mandi as long as they want. Apart from this, paddy procurement is going on in Chhattisgarh. There also farmers are being given relief. Every state government is taking steps in the interest of the farmers from its own level. Now such a wonderful initiative has been taken by the Odisha government. With this step of the state government, the farmers have heaved a sigh of relief.
Canteen opened for farmers, will get free food
In Odisha, farmers come from far away to sell paddy in the mandis. Many times he reaches the mandi in the morning on an empty stomach. They lack time and sometimes they don’t even have money. Initiative has been taken by the state government to provide food to such farmers. A free canteen has been opened for the farmers near the paddy procurement centers. Here farmers will be able to eat food for free.
Canteens opened in Gajapati district
A similar canteen has been started for farmers in Gajapati district. Apart from Gajapati, canteens have also been started in Paralakhemundi, Kashinagar, Uplada and Garbandh. According to media reports, Gajapati District Magistrate Lingaraj Panda said that women self-help groups of the areas prepare food and vegetables in the free canteen run by the Paralakhemundi Regulated Market Committee (RMC). This food and vegetables are given free of cost to the farmers. Farmers will get free food in the afternoon. This facility is for those farmers, who are not able to go home to have food.
Plan to open 15 canteens
Along with food, cold water and other facilities are also being provided to the farmers at the paddy procurement centers by the RMC. But right now there are many paddy procurement centers where such facilities are not available to the farmers. Now the district administration is planning to open free canteens at these purchase centers as well. According to the district administration, about 15 such canteens will be opened in the district. This will help the farmers.
20 farmers are eating food in each canteen
Civil Supplies Officer Prafulla Kumar Behera told that the canteen is being continuously monitored. It has been seen that every day about 20 farmers are taking free food in the canteen. The cost of operating the canteen is given to RMC. In lieu of food per farmer, women self-help groups are given Rs.60 per farmer. Other places where preparations are on to open canteens. There also the expenses will be managed in the same way.
Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. Farmer brothers, before implementing any suggestion, do consult the concerned expert.
