Bonus Delay Due to Different Payment Systems: Tummala

 Suryapet: Minister for agriculture Tummala Nageswara Rao announced on Saturday that 12.29 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of paddy have been procured from 1,82,148 farmers, with payments deposited directly into their bank accounts.

During his inspection of an IKP paddy procurement centre in Tekumatla, the minister interacted with farmers who had brought their produce for lifting. He assured them that while payments for the purchased paddy had been made, the bonus would be delayed by four to five days due to different payment processing systems. Payments for paddy are handled by the civil supplies department, while the bonus is disbursed by the finance department, causing the delay.

Tummala highlighted that paddy harvesting for 18 per cent of the cultivated area (33 lakh acres) is expected to conclude by the third week of November, with the remaining 21 per cent (14 lakh acres) to be completed by the end of the month.

He explained that the state government stores the procured paddy, mills it, and supplies the rice under the Public Distribution System. To maintain rice quality, he emphasised the importance of ensuring 17 per cent moisture content to prevent discolouration. The minister urged farmers not to sell their crops to millers or traders below the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

So far, 1,64,191 tonnes of paddy worth Rs 1,206 crore have been procured from 6,815 farmers.