Paddy purchase limit hiked to 95 bags from 79

KAKINADA: Home Minister Taneti Vanitha on Saturday announced that the number of paddy bags to be purchased from farmers has been increased to 95 from the existing 79 bags.

She disclosed that the government had increased the limit at the request of farmers.

Vanitha said discussions in this regard have been held with civil supplies minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao and the district collector.

In this context, she pointed out that the government is supplying gunny bags free of cost to farmers for transporting paddy. It is also bearing the transport and labour charges for bringing the paddy to RBK centres.

According to farmers, they have produced more than 60 bags of paddy per acre during this Rabi season.

Officials informed farmers that they will be able to purchase only 40 bags per acre.

When farmers took up the issue with Konaseema district collector Himanshu Sukla, he promised them that government will purchase up to 50 bags per acre, the farmers stated.