Odisha Deploys Special Teams to Curb Illegal Paddy Inflow During Procurement Season

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken stringent measures to prevent the illegal inflow of paddy from neighboring states during the ongoing procurement season. Special enforcement teams have been deployed across various districts to address the issue, the state government announced on Friday.

A total of 84 teams are actively monitoring the situation, with 10 teams stationed in Bargarh district and 21 in Sambalpur district, among others. The initiative aims to protect the interests of local farmers and ensure fair procurement practices.

The concern arises as the central government has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy at ₹2,300 per quintal, while the Odisha government has announced an additional ₹800 per quintal as financial assistance to farmers. This higher price has raised fears of unscrupulous traders attempting to bring in paddy from other states to benefit from the premium rates in Odisha.

The deployment of these teams underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining a transparent procurement process and safeguarding the livelihoods of its farmers. Authorities have urged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to illegal paddy inflow.