Ranchi: The state govt on Thursday informed the assembly that it could extend the window for paddy procurement.Replying to a question by Nirsa MLA Arup Chatterjee, minister Irfan Ansari said paddy procurement at present stood at 50% of this year’s target. “Efforts are being made for maximum purchase from the farmers in the next 20 days. The last date of the exercise, which is on March 31, could also be extended,” he said.Stating that the govt had so far procured 3 million tons (MT) of paddy so far against its target of 6 MT, Chatterjee demanded that at least six primary agricultural credit society (PACS) godowns must run in every block for the procurement purpose. “Middlemen are purchasing paddy at Rs 1,600 per quintal from farmers instead of the assured govt price of Rs 2,450 per quintal,” he claimed.Leader of opposition Babulal Marandi claimed that by purchasing paddy till March 31 the govt is encouraging middlemen. “The process should have been completed by January. There should be adequate number of godowns in this regard,” he said. Marandi further claimed that the purchase of paddy in the districts bordering Bihar is higher than the other areas.Replying to a question by MLA Jairam Mahto on delays in installing of new transformers and other electricity services, minister Yogendra Prasad said the govt was planning to engage the private agencies for transporting transformers to the villages. “Their vehicles would be linked with GPS system, he said. People should inform the executive engineer in case they have problems related to poles, supply lines and transformer,” he said.Gandey MLA Kalpana Soren asked whether there was a proposal sent to the Centre for setting up an agriculture-export hub, a testing laboratory, cold chain and packaging facilities at the airports in Jharkhand given the demand for the state’s agro products overseas. Replying to her question, agriculture minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said a proposal for testing facility in the state was sent to the centre, but it was denied. “We will try to set up the lab again,” she said.The house also passed the budget of water resource department worth Rs 2,714.71 crore after a discussion.
