Chhattisgarh paddy procurement: Rs 13k cr to be given to 24 lakh farmers on Mar 12

Raipur: A sum of Rs 13,000 crore will be disbursed to more than 24 lakh farmers in Chhattisgarh on March 12 in connection with paddy procurement in the state, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Saturday.

The CM made the announcement at a public meeting in Tamamunda village in Jashpur district.

This amount is additional money over the Minimum Support Price (MSP) given to farmers for paddy procurement as promised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Assembly polls last year.

The BJP had promised during the Assembly poll campaign to procure paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal from farmers. The paddy procurement for the Kharif season 2023-24 was held between November 1 to February 4 and a total of 147 lakh metric tonne of paddy was procured from over 24 lakh farmers at MSP, which was Rs 2,183 per quintal for common grade paddy and Rs 2203 for Grade A paddy.

"As per our promise, 21 quintal paddy per acre was purchased from farmers. A total of 147 LMT paddy was procured, which is a record. The farmers have received MSP against selling their paddy but as per the promise of giving Rs 3100 per quintal, the difference amount of Rs 917 per quintal would be given on March 12," Sai said.

"More than 24 lakh farmers will get the difference amount totalling Rs 13,000 crore in their bank accounts. On March 12, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda will visit Chhattisgarh," Sai said.