By Express News Service
Published: 11th June 2015 06:00 AM
BHUBANESWAR: After successful operation of paddy procurement automation system (P-PAS) during 2014-15 kharif marketing season (KMS), the State Government on Wednesday decided to apply the system in 160 high procuring blocks during 2015-16 KMS.
This decision was taken at a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati here.
The automation system has brought in transparency, efficiency, accuracy and economy in the process of paddy procurement in the State. It has also ensured timely payment to farmers and has streamlined fund flow information across all banks.
The system provided for real time monitoring of the progress of procurement in various districts and was successful in 60 blocks during 2014-15 KMS.
Around 2.29 lakh farmers were brought into its fold and 49 per cent of the total State procurement were done through this automated system, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Secretary Madhusudan Padhi said.
It has been decided to roll out the system in 160 high procuring blocks during 2015-16 KMS targeting to have 90 per cent of total paddy procurement in the State.
The automation system, an initiative of Department for International Development (DFID) and supported by Odisha Modernising Economy, Governance and Administration (OMEGA), was piloted in Bargarh district in 2013 with an objective to ensure hassle-free paddy sale for farmers.
The P-PAS model was replicated in 60 blocks in 2014-15 KMS.
The Chief Secretary directed the Department to make the system farmer-centric and introduce systematic changes for making it error-free. He further advised the Department to take advance steps for imparting training to PACS (primary agriculture cooperative society) personnel regarding farmers’ registration, appropriate entry on online data and maintenance of records.
The Department has also been asked to link farmers’ registration number with Aadhaar numbers. Farmers who do not have Aadhaar number would be be encouraged to get registered at permanent registration centres operating at tehsil level.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance R Balakrishnan, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Rajesh Verma, Principal Secretary, Cooperation Manoj Ahuja, Regional Director of RBI PK Jena, Registrar Cooperative Societies Dhiren Patnaik and other senior officers participated in the discussion.