New Measures Planned To Prevent Irregularities In Paddy Purchasing

COLOMBO (News 1st): Attention is being focused on implementing a number of new procedures to prevent irregularities in paddy purchasing.

This took place at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation headed by Minister K.D. Lalkantha.

Measures to be taken to efficiently purchase paddy according to the guaranteed price set by the government, prevent fraud and irregularities, and ensure a fair price for farmers were discussed at length.

Meanwhile, this year’s Yala season paddy purchasing commenced yesterday.

Paddy is being purchased at Rs. 120 per kilogram of Nadu, Rs. 130 per kilogram of Samba, and Rs. 140 per kilogram of Keeri Samba.

Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board, Manjula Pinnalanda, stated that paddy purchasing has commenced by opening stores in areas where harvests are currently at their peak.

The Paddy Marketing Board stated that since paddy harvesting has already begun extensively in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, purchasing is being carried out through 143 stores in those areas.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Namal Karunaratne said paddy purchasing stores have already been opened in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Weerawila. 

He added that more stores will open in the Hambantota and Monaragala districts by the 15th, with additional purchasing centres to be established in other harvesting areas. 

The Deputy Minister also urged farmers to make use of these facilities and sell their paddy through the designated stores.