Chhattisgarh against use of Biometrics for Paddy purchase

     Raipur, September 10, 2023: Congress government in Chhattisgarh today opposed the use of biometrics for purchase of paddy under the minimum support price procurement scheme.

     “Looking into the difficult topography of the state, farmers from the interior and far off places could face difficulties in selling their agriculture produces through biometrics,” State Food Secretary Topeshwar Verma urged the Centre.

     “Hence, the biometrics system be differed for this year,” in a letter to the Union Food Secretary, the state food Secretary said.

      The Central Government has made biometric system mandatory in Chhattisgarh for procurement of paddy from the farmers from this Khariff season.

     However, the state government has opposed use of biometrics for purchase of Paddy and Maize in MSP saying the farmers would face difficulties in getting into this system, hence it be differed for this year.

     There was lack of internet connectivity in many areas of Bastar and Sarguja regions due to hilly area and it would be difficult to implement the biometric system there, the Food Secretary argued.

     Meanwhile, the state government has issued instructions to all district collectors to speed up the registration of farmers under the new system on or before October 31, next.