The Samikhsya Bureau
Raipur: While farmers across many parts of the country are often up in arms against apathy of their respective state governments, Bhupesh Baghel led Chhattisgarh Government has won their hearts with several farmers-friendly measures.
The state government has announced to procure paddy across the state commencing on December 1 offering the support price. It has further waived off agricultural loans to the tune of Rs.9000-crore availed by the farmers.
Popularly referred to as the Rice Bowl of India, paddy procurement has always remained a major socio-political issue in Chhattisgarh.
The state government has maintained that it is not allowing any kind of reduction in paddy procurement despite the ongoing Covid crisis.
The Central Government failed to meet the State’s demand for gunny bags in order to procure paddy. Yet, the State Government is committed to stand by the farmers, the officials pointed out.
Chhattisgarh had set a new record with 80.37 lakh metric tons of paddy procurement from farmers of the state at the rate of Rs. 2500 per quintal during the in Kharif season of the financial year 2018-19.
It has also surpassed its past record by buying 83.94 lakh metric tonnes of paddy offering the support price in the Kharif period during 2019-20, they shared.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has fulfilled his promise made to the farmers of the state by waiving agricultural loans worth Rs. 9000 crores by which 17.82 thousand farmers have been benefitted, the officials stated.
