Paddy procurement to be completed in two days: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25 (UNI) Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran today assured the state assembly that steps would be taken to procure the entire paddy from farmers within two days.

Opposing the admissibility of an adjournment motion sought to be moved by the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on the issue, Mr Divakaran said the paddy would be procured from farmers at a support price of Rs 850 per quintal as against Rs 620 in the neighbouring states.

The delay was mainly due to rains and for establishing a fool-proof mechanism to ensure that farmers from Kerala got the entire benefit, he said.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy pointed out that in most of the areas in Kottayam district, no effort was made for the procurement for the past one month.

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