Once again opposing state government’s paddy procurement policy, opposition leaders caused din and later walked out of the House on fourth day of winter session of Chhattisgarh assembly on Thursday.
Opposition MLAs were not satisfied with the food and civil supplies minister’s assurance that eventfully farmers will get Rs 2500 for per quintal of paddy procured from them.
During Question Hour, Congress MLA Dhanendra Sahu sought reply as to how much quantity of paddy will be procured from farmers and at what rate.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Amarjeet Bhagat said last year the total procurement was 80 lakh MT while in 2019-20 target is 85 lakh MT.
As the Central government refuses to procure surplus paddy if it is procured at higher price than its prescribed rate, the state government will go ahead with procurement at a price fixed by the Union government that is at Rs 1815 per quintal and for Grade-A at Rs 1835 per quintal, the minister said.
Based on recommendation of the ministerial sub-committee formed by the state government, the balance amount will be deposited in the account of farmers.
Opposition members created noisy scene over the procurement rate stating Congress had promised Rs 2500 per quintal to farmers.
Leader of Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik questioned committee’s proposed visit to other states to study procurement, when Chhattisgarh is only state procuring paddy at Rs 2500. Minister could not answer to BJP member Ajay Chandrakar’s query on disbursal date of balance amount to farmers, leading to walk out.
