The state cooperative department’s bid to ensure timely procurement of paddy from the farmers has been crippled by the allegations of irregularities in payment and the general reluctance of the staff engaged in the procurement process of the major Kharif crop in the region.

As a result, the department so far could procure only 3.02 lakh metric tonne (MT) of paddy from the farmers against the target of 45 lakh MT, set for 2021-22 fiscal. The state government started the procurement process on November 1 and scheduled to wind it up by January 31. The state government had authorised around 5,200 primary agriculture cooperative societies (Pacs) and Vyapar Mandals (VMs) out of the total 7153 agencies to procure the produce.
“On an average, we are receiving 30-50 complaints from the farmers across the state that their product is not being taken by the staff of primary agriculture cooperative societies (Pacs) of Vypar Mandals (VMs) over different reasons. We refer the cases to the cooperative department for resolution. The complaints related to payment of paddy lower than the MSP of ₹1940-1960 per quintal and refusal to buy paddy in the name of excess moisture,” said an executive manning the department’s call centre.

More at : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/complaints-of-irregularities-hit-bihar-s-paddy-procurement-drive-101639151421457.html