Eliminate middlemen's role in procurement of paddy: Min to officials

MINISTER for Civil Supplies Nadendla Manohar has directed officials to ensure a transparent and efficient paddy procurement process, urging them to prevent middlemen's involvement in it to safeguard the interests of farmers.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Visakhapatnam

Speaking at a regional conference of officials from Civil Supplies, Agriculture, Vigilance and other departments at the Collectorate here on Thursday, he emphasised prompt payment to farmers and leveraging technology to streamline operations. "Payment to farmers for the paddy procured should be credited within 24 to 48 hours," he asserted, adding that any field-level issues should be resolved promptly and complex problems should be taken to the notice of higher authorities.

He instructed the officials to set up district-level control rooms and committees involving farmers to monitor the paddy procurement process.