Paddy lifting halted over irregularities

 

 

 

SERIOUS irregularities have been alleged in the final phase of the paddy procurement drive. Following reports of paddy recycling in several districts under the custom milling procurement policy, the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Marketing Federation (MARKFED) has imposed a complete halt on paddy lifting from cooperative societies. This decision has disrupted the procurement system not only in Korba district, but across the State. A notification on the rice millers’ module signaling the suspension of paddy loading has prevented millers from generating online gate passes.

 

Consequently, no vehicles arrived at procurement centres on Saturday, sparking concerns among cooperative societies and rice millers. The impact is starkly evident in aspirational district Korba, where 6,56,740.40 quintals of paddy procured at the minimum support price and valued at Rs 151 crore, 5 lakh, 2 thousand, 920 remains stranded at procurement centres. Officials warn that prolonged exposure to intense sunlight could cause grain shortages and deterioration.

 

Moreover, uncleared storage space risks hindering procurement from remaining farmers. For the ongoing Kharif Marketing Year 2025-26, Korba was assigned a target of 31.19 lakh quintals. So far, 20.63 lakh quintals have been procured from 33,846 farmers via 65 centres operated by 41 cooperative societies. Nearly 31.72% of this procured paddy is still a waiting lifting. In several centres including elephant-affected areas like Barpali (Korba), Barpali (Shyang), Kudmura, Chachiya, Sirmina, Utarda, and Akharapali stocks have exceeded buffer limits at over two dozen sites.

 

As per norms, paddy transportation occurs only against delivery orders issued to rice millers, followed by online gate pass generation (including vehicle number and photo). After verification by the centre in-charge, an entry pass is issued. Post-loading, photos and videos are uploaded, enabling an exit pass for custom milling. All these processes are currently suspended, including the issue of online gunny bags. The halt has imposed financial strain on cooperative societies and rice millers.

 

Many millers have hired vehicles on a monthly basis, with several delivery orders pending. If unresolved soon, millers may protest. District Marketing Officer Korba, Rituraj Dewangan, confirmed a suspension message on the rice millers’ module. “This applies statewide. The matter is at the government level and will be resolved there,” he said, noting that around 70% of Korba’s paddy has already been lifted.