Rs. 8000 Cr paid to farmers through online: CV Anand

Hyderabad: The Civil Supplies Corporation recorded highest procurement more than the target in this 2016-17 year from farmers in Telangana history.

In Kharif and Rabi seasons, the Corporation purchased 53.66 Lakh Metric Tons from 10,93,196 farmers through 5231 Paddy purchase centers for Minimum Support Price (Grade-A - Quintal Rs. 1510, Common - Quintal Rs. 1470).

Commissioner for Civil Supplies C.V. Anand said, “Corporation targeted paddy yield about 37 LMTs in Rabi season this year (2016-17), but it reached beyond the target. Purchased 37.14 LMTs of paddy from 6,93,020 farmers and paid Rs. 5626.77 Crores through online to farmers accounts. 9.25 Crores of Gunny bags were organized for this paddy procurement.”

In this year Telangana stood fourth place in the country in paddy procurement, after Punjab, Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. While AP procured 55.32 LMTs, Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation procured 53.66 LMT of paddy. In the same time southern states like Kerala procured 4.53 LMTs, and Tamil Nadu 2.11 LMTs.

“We can say it as record as we procured highest this year in Telangana history. Till now in 2013-14 procurement of 24.82 LMTs from 3285 was highest. This year it is 216 % more,” said Anand. In 2014-15, the Corporation had purchased 24.28 LMTs from 3329 centers and paid Rs. 3390.50 Crores. In 2015-16, it purchased 23.56 LMTs from 3007 centers and paid Rs. 3396.97 Crores and this year 2016-17 53.66 LMTs paddy purchased from 5231 centers and paid Rs. 8105.34 Crores.

Last year 2015-16 on this date in Rabi season 8.42 LMTs paddy procurement from 1,75,713 farmers through 1286 paddy purchase centers. This year in Khariff season 16.52 LMTs paddy is purchased from 4,00,176 farmers through 2178 paddy purchase centers.

The main purpose of Civil Supplies Corporation to make online payments to farmers is to remove the involvement of middlemen. Record payment on Minimum Support price of Rs. 8105.34 Crores was made to farmers through online, which is an ideal to the country.

Online Procurement Management System (OPMS) software is developed for the first time in India in Telangana state which will stand as guide to other states in the country.

According to Anand, the Civil Supplies Corporation was well prepared in advance by the expectation of high yield. Mainly in Rabi season, he said special attention has been paid on paddy procurement. By coordinating with all the sections state wide from District Collectors, Joint Collectors to ground staff, the Corporation ensured that farmers face no difficulty in selling the yield and paddy procurement.