Over 62 lakh metric tonne paddy procured from farmers in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: About 63 lakh metric tonne paddy has been procured from farmers in Chhattisgarh during this kharif season, under support price scheme.

"62,72,764 metric tonne paddy has been procured at cooperatives societies across the state in 2014-15 kharif year," Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Marketing Federation said in a statement today.

As many as 1,976 procurement centres were set up for the process which was held from December 1, 2014, to January 31 this year, it said.

As per the statistics, the highest procurement of 5,97,599 metric tonne was recorded in Janjgir-Champa district, followed by Mahasamund (5.91 lakh MT), Balodabazar-Bhatapara (5.25 lakh MT), Rajnandgaon (4.88 lakh MT) and Raipur (4.33 lakh MT), the release said.

High procurement was also recorded in Dhamtari, Durg, Raigarh, Bemetara and Bilaspur districts, it added.

Chhattisgarh's BJP government had earlier put a cap on paddy procurement in the state and declared that it would procure only 10 quintals of paddy per acre of land in this kharif season which had triggered statewide protest by farmers' associations and Congress party.

Subsequently, the decision was revised and Chief Minister Raman Singh announced to procure 15 quintals per acre from the farmers.