Important decisions taken for quick resolution of paddy in the meeting of Cabinet Sub-Committee

The period for depositing the remaining quantity of rice in Kharif marketing year 2023-24 is now till 5 July 2025

Raipur 26 June 2025: A meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel was held at Mahanadi Bhawan, Mantralaya, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Cooperation Minister Kedar Kashyap, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal and Revenue Minister Tankaram Verma were present in the meeting. It was told in the meeting that in the Kharif marketing year 2024-25, 149.25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured from the farmers at the support price, which is the highest figure so far after the formation of the state. The procured paddy is being disposed of promptly through custom milling. In addition to the rice procurement target received from the Government of India and the Civil Supplies Corporation, the Council of Ministers has decided to sell about 35.00 lakh metric tonnes of surplus paddy through e-auction for disposal. For this, the auction process was conducted on the M-Junction platform. The rates received in the first phase of the tender were approved by the Cabinet Sub-Committee on 29 April 2025. About 18.91 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been successfully disposed of at the said rates. For disposal of the remaining stakes, the highest bidders (H-1) and other bidders have been given the opportunity of price matching at the approved rate, so that the surplus paddy can be disposed of without delay while ensuring transparency and healthy competition by the government.

It was informed in the meeting that a total of 31.48 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been stored in 78 storage centres of the state, out of which about 18.91 lakh metric tonnes have been disposed of through price matching and auction. At present, about 12.57 lakh metric tonnes of paddy remains to be disposed of. Necessary instructions have been circulated to all the District Marketing Officers and Storage Centre Incharges to ensure quick lifting. Instructions have also been given to facilitate the movement of vehicles in the storage centres and increase the number of porters, so that the lifting of paddy is faster and the buyers do not face any inconvenience.

It was informed in the meeting that the bidders have the option of price matching on depositing the security amount after registration on the M-Junction platform. Within 7 days from the date of price matching, the bidders have to deposit 3 percent of the total value of the paddy purchased as security fund. Thereafter, within the stipulated period, the buyer has to deposit the actual value of the stake in the e-auction platform. As soon as the amount is received by the marketing association, the lift order is being issued to the buyer. In the above sequence, important decisions were taken regarding the quick disposal of paddy in the meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee held today. It was decided in the meeting that such tenderers who could not deposit the security fund within the stipulated time limit during price matching in the e-auction platform, or the purchase price of paddy (MVP) has not been deposited within the time limit or has been deposited late, have now been given a final deadline till 15 July 2025. The period for depositing the remaining quantity for depositing rice in Kharif marketing year 2023-24 has been extended to 5 July 2025. The rice millers of the state have shown enthusiasm towards these decisions taken by the government. Chhattisgarh Rice Millers Association has also submitted a thank you memorandum to Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel in this regard. A technical committee has also been constituted under the chairmanship of General Manager (Marketing) to resolve the technical problems faced by millers and buyers during price matching and to provide necessary guidance, so that the problems can be resolved quickly. It was told in the meeting that in this sequence, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai met the Union Food Minister and requested to increase the target of depositing rice in the central pool from the paddy purchased from farmers at the support price in the Kharif marketing year 2024-25 to more than 70 lakh metric tonnes. On this, the Government of India has assured to consider positively in the interest of the state of Chhattisgarh. Food Secretary Reena Babasaheb Kangale, Finance Secretary Mukesh Bansal, Industry Secretary Rajat Kumar, Director Food, Managing Director Markfed and other officials were present in the meeting.