Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 10 (ANI): Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs of Tripura, Sushanta Chowdhury said that the state government will commence its annual subsidised paddy procurement programme on June 15. The initiative aims to support farmers financially in the state.
Speaking to ANI, Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said, "The Tripura state government will commence its annual subsidised paddy procurement programme on June 15 targeting 16,000 metric tonnes of paddy at Rs. 2183 per quintal. Running until July 31 the initiative aims to support farmers financially, with Rs. 35 crore reimbursed by the central government and Rs. 10 crore from the state treasury for operational costs. Additionally, 31 temporary procurement centers will be set up, and five new freight trucks will be added to the food grain distribution fleet."
Minister Sushant Choudhary emphasised the program's significance in enhancing farmers' livelihoods and economic stability.
Chowdhury said, "In a continued effort to provide economic stability and self-reliance to farmers, the state government is set to initiate its annual subsidized paddy procurement programme for the Rabi season 2023-24. The program, which began in December 2018, will start on June 15 in the Shantirbazar sub-division of South Tripura district and run until July 31."
He said that the total expenditure on this initiative is estimated to be around Rs. 35 crore, which will be reimbursed by the central government.
He further said, "This year, the government aims to procure 16,000 metric tonnes of paddy from farmers at a support price of Rs. 2183 per quintal, a rate fixed by the Government of India. The total expenditure on this initiative is estimated to be around Rs. 35 crore, which will be reimbursed by the central government. An additional Rs. 10 crore will be allocated from the state treasury to cover operational costs."
He said that since its inception, the programme has successfully purchased 1.93 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, directly transferring Rs. 372 crore to farmers' bank accounts, thus ensuring fair prices and financial security for the agricultural community.
"In support of this initiative, the state will open 31 temporary paddy procurement centres across different regions. The Food Department has also taken measures to enhance the efficiency of food grain distribution. Due to an increase in public distribution system consumers and the variety of ration items, the department has expanded its fleet with the purchase of five new freight trucks, costing approximately Rs. 1.86 crore," he said.
He said that the flagging off of these new trucks will take place tomorrow at the central store in AD Nagar, Agartala.
"Additionally, the state government has completed the construction of a new secondary standard laboratory building in the Shantirbazar sub-division, funded by the central government. This facility will be officially inaugurated on June 15, 2024, further bolstering the infrastructure to support the farming community," he further said.
Minister Sushant Choudhary highlighted the significance of these initiatives in a press conference, emphasizing the government's commitment to improving the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring the timely distribution of essential food grains across the state.
He said that these steps reflect the government's continued dedication to enhancing agricultural productivity and providing robust support to farmers, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their produce and contributing to the overall economic development of the region. (ANI)
