176 centres opened to purchase foodgrain

Peddapalli: District Joint Collector Vanaja Devi on Thursday directed the officials concerned to prepare perfect plan for purchasing of foodgrain from farmers in the district.

The JC held a review meeting with officials to discuss purchasing of food grains produced in the Rabi season at the Collectorate in Peddapalli. Addressing the meeting, Vanaja Devi said around 167 per cent more food grains are purchased from farmers in this Kharif season of 2018-19 than the previous year in the same season which is about 2,33,826 metric tons.

A total of 176 purchasing centres are opened in the district out of which 48 are IKP centres and 128 are primary purchasing centres. "Prepare a perfect plan for purchasing the food grains produced in the Rabi by fixing the price at Rs 1,770 per quintal for Grade-A quality and Rs.1,750 quintal for general variety apart from making necessary arrangements of gunny bags and other materials that are required for that purpose." she added.

Identify the godowns which are scientifically built for storage of purchased food grains and also make arrangements of software and hardware equipment at the purchasing centres. The officials were asked to provide drinking water facilities and also arrange at least 25 tarpaulin covers in case of emergency for covering the food grains apart from one paddy cleaner.

The agriculture officials were also told to create awareness among the farmers to ensure that the moisture content of the food grains is less than 17 percent. They can do by drying the food grains before bringing the same to the purchasing centres for selling. The officials were asked to work in coordination to make the purchasing process successful in the district.

District Civil Supplies Department Manager Abhishek Singh, District Civil Supplies Officer T Venkatesham, District Cooperative Officer Chandraprakash Reddy, District Legal Metrology Officer Ravinder, representatives of IKP centres and other concern officials were present.