Alappuzha: Farmers await procurement money

ALAPPUZHA: The paddy farmers of Kuttanad are in trouble due to the delay in the payment for the paddy procured by the paddy marketing office. The paddy office here had approved the payment orders of Rs 303 crore to the Canara Bank and State Bank of India, and the farmers submitted the procurement details in early April. But the banks have not disbursed the amount citing technical issues.

As per official figures, at least 1,72,790.712 metric tonnes of paddy was procured from the district so far. A total of 240 farmers from Meenapally, Valiyak-ari and Kanakassery pad-dy polders at Kainakary here have been waiting for the money after submitting the procurement details on April 4.

Most farmers launch paddy farming every season with the money borrowed from banks and money lenders. So the delay in their payment will add to their liability. The advance planning for next season will also be affected.

C.K. Maniyan, a farmer from Meenapally paddy polders, said that he had not yet got any assurance from the bank on the date of payment. His produce was procured earlier in April and at least Rs 2.60 lakh remains unpaid.

If the payment is dela-yed, the preparations for the next season will be affected, he said.

Shihab, a farmer of Marthanadam Kayal, said that the government should introduce direct transfer system to avoid delays. Earlier, the fund was delivered within ten days.

Amrithakumar, another farmer at Mathoor Pada-sekharam, Nedumudy, who has to get Rs 8 lakh, alleged that the delay was due to the nexus between banks and officials. Banks secure huge amounts as interest by delaying the fund distribution, he said.

An official of the paddy marketing office here said that the issue will be resolved this month. The bank officials said that the delay was due to technical issues. However, the money will be delivered within a few weeks, they said.