Special gaon sabha to be held across Assam to create awareness about paddy purchase on 16 Jan

Jan. 10: In a bid to sensitize the farmers on the paddy procurement drive and to expedite the process, State government will organize special gaon sabha across Assam on January 16. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma announced this while interacting with DCs, Circle Officers, District Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Development Officers through video conference from Janata Bhawan today.

The video conference was also attended by senior officials of FCS&CA, Agriculture and Revenue Departments and representatives of FCI Regional Office and other procurement agencies including AFCSCL, NAFED, NACOF, NCCF and ASAMB. While FCS&CA Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass and Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan were present along with others at Janata Bhawan, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora joined the video conference from Golaghat. Several MPs, MLAs also took part in the VC from respective districts.

The Chief Minister said that due to lack of proper procurement mechanism and committed efforts, majority of the paddy produced in the state is procured by middlemen depriving the farmers of fair price. The State government has therefore, decided to bring an end to such a situation so that farmers could be economically benefited. Dr. Sarma said that due to dedicated efforts of the present State government, central and state agencies such as FCI, AFCSCL, NAFED, NACOF, NCCF and ASAMB have agreed to procure 10 lakh MT paddy from farmers at MSP of Rs. 1940 per quintal. As all land records in the state are not integrated with Dharitri portal, the Union government has also allowed manual registration of farmers upto 30th September.

Some key decisions include –
✅A standing committee to be formed
✅COs, Gaonburhas and Lot Mandals to issue requisite certificate to facilitate registration of famers
✅Special Gaon Sabha to be held across Assam on January 16
✅Public Procurement Centres (PPCs) to be increased pic.twitter.com/Hob1eiLynF

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 10, 2022

The Chief Minister said that the State government has geared up to carry out the paddy procurement in a mission mode and has notified 194 paddy procurement centres in the state, out of which 166 have been already opened. He also informed that realization of the target of procurement will greatly benefit the farmers apart from infusing over two thousand crores into the state economy.

The Chief Minister directed to form a standing committee with Principal Secretaries of FCS&CA, Agriculture and Revenue Department to guide the DCs and other officers and to sort out all issues relating to paddy procurement. The Chief Minister asked the members of the committee to hold weekly review with concerned officials including the procurement agencies and expedite the process.

Moreover, to facilitate prompt registration of farmers at procurement portal and to address land related issues so that manual registration can be done expeditiously, the Chief Minister directed to authorize COs, gaonburas and lot Mandals to issue necessary certificate to farmers. Underlining the need for massive awareness among farmers for success of the initiative, the Chief Minister stressed on extensive publicity in the State to sensitize farmers. He said that the gaon sabha to be organized across Assam on January 16 would play an important role in making the farmers aware about the benefits of the procurement drive. He also urged the MPs and MLAs to take active part in the gaon sabhas to turn the procurement drive into a major success.

The Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Commissioners to actively engage the Circle Officers and ADOs in sensitizing the farmers and hold regular review with field officials and procurement agencies to speed up the progress. Dr. Sarma also advised the DCs to procure moisture meter and provide to ADOs to test the level of moisture of paddy to facilitate smooth procurement at PPCs. The Chief Minister also directed the FCS&CA Department to take necessary steps for increasing the number of PPCs in the State so that farmers can sale their produce in a hassle-free manner.

Moreover, according approval to extension of Incentivization of Rice Milling Scheme, the ChiefMinister asked the DCs to sensitize millers on the benefits of the scheme. He also urged FCI to take necessary measures to address issues raised by millers and coordinate with the standing committee and district administration to settle procurement related matters.