Centre never gives grant for Paddy purchase: Minister Akbar

       Raipur, June 12, 2023: Chhattisgarh Government today dismissed a claim of BJP that the Centre has been providing money for purchase of paddy by the state Congress government.

     Chhattisgarh government purchases paddy from the farmers and pay them the dues after taking loans from banks, senior Minister Mohammad Akbar said here today.

     The Centre never gives any grant, assistance or loan to Chhattisgarh government for purchase of paddy from the farmers, the forest Minister clarified.

     Till date the state was purchasing 15 quintals of paddy per acre, which has now been decided to increase to 20 quintals per acre, he said.

      The state is planning to purchase 125 lakh tons of paddy from the farmers this Khariff season of 2023-24, he said.

     Purchase of paddy is an important scheme of the state government and led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel it has been taking loans from the banks to pay the farmers of their produces, Akbar said.

     Every year the state takes bank loan of Rs about 20 to 25 thousand crores for purchase of paddy in the state.

      In fact, the state purchases paddy from the farmers and after the custom millings the rice is being provided to the Central pool. And as per the stock the Centre clear the payment to the state, he said.