8.5 lakh tonnes paddy procure in Chhattisgarh

     Raipur, November 27, 2008: Even as 8.5 lakh tonnes of paddy has so far been procured by the Chhattisgarh government, but due to a vacuum in governance irregularities had been reported from many parts and in that connection at least one official has been suspended, officials said today.

     Last year paddy procurement was started from November 1, but this year it was started from October 20, keeping the state assembly election in mind, but politicians and officials, all are busy in electioneering and it seems no one had time for the day to day governance, forget about monitoring paddy procurement, when over 80 per cent of the population of the state are dependent on agriculture.

     Because of which in several places poor farmers had been complaining of under weight or other irregularities and in one of such cases in Jounda procurement Centre of Rajim area in Raipur district the centre in charge V K Srivastav has been suspended, officials said.

     People are waiting for the government to start monitoring the situation and take prompt action.

     Meanwhile, through 1,577 procurement centres about 4.75 lakh tonnes of paddy were procured in the state since October 20 where as through agriculture produce market yards 3.8 lakh tonnes had been purchased by the state government till date in minimum support price, the officials said.