Paddy procurement preparations reviewed

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Uttam Singh on Friday reviewed the preparations for paddy procurement and milling arrangements for kharif season 2025-26, and directed officers to ensure that farmers did not face any inconvenience during the procurement process.

During the last kharif season, 8,40,448 metric tonnes of paddy were purchased by government agencies, including Food and Supplies Department, HAFED and Haryana Warehousing Corporation. This year, the arrival is expected to increase by 10 per cent, and agencies already have adequate stock of gunny bags. The DC further directed that there should be no shortage of labour or transportation and asked the District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC) to expedite recovery of over Rs 8 crore pending from millers.

The DC instructed the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) officials to make sure that all mandis were equipped with basic facilities such as electricity, drinking water, canteens, toilets, parking, and sanitation. He warned that strict action would be taken against any irregularities. “Every employee, from mandi secretaries to supervisers, must carry out their duties with full responsibility and commitment during the procurement season,” he said.

Similar to last year, 15 procurement centres have been set up in the district, with all necessary works like road repair, drainage and sheds already completed. During the 2024-25 season, 226 rice millers undertook milling operations in Karnal. The DC stressed that procurement must strictly take place in the mandis and any case of bogus procurement involving employees would invite strict action.

He reviewed arrangements such as CCTV cameras at mandi entry and exit gates, electric sorters, moisture meters, power machines, polythene covers, and crates for paddy cleaning and handling. He directed officials to ensure all machines were functional and instructed SDMs to visit mandis and procurement centres next week for on-ground inspection.