Chhattisgarh launches paddy procurement season with expanded digital oversight

Chhattisgarh on Saturday opened its annual paddy procurement season under a significantly strengthened digital and administrative framework, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasising that transparency, efficiency and timely payments will guide operations across all districts.

The government has issued detailed directions to district authorities to ensure that procurement centres function without disruption and that farmers face no inconvenience during the season.

According to the state government, procurement centres have been fully equipped with essential facilities, while departments have been instructed to maintain strict adherence to timelines for purchasing, weighing, transportation and payment processing. Officials said the administration is approaching this year’s procurement exercise as a test case for a more accountable and technology-driven system.

To tighten monitoring and eliminate procedural delays, the government has deployed a suite of digital tools, including the Tuhar Token app, GPS-based tracking of paddy transportation, the Satark application for real-time reporting, and a centralised command-and-control system. Officials stated that the integrated platform will help ensure proper queue management, prevent overcrowding, curb irregularities and strengthen oversight from procurement point to storage.

Chief Minister Sai described the launch of the season as an acknowledgement of the contribution of farmers, calling them “the backbone of Chhattisgarh’s rural economy.” He said the reforms introduced this year reflect the state’s commitment to fair procurement and hassle-free payments.

Across several districts, an atmosphere of anticipation was reported as procurement began. Officials noted that a combination of expanded infrastructure, clearer protocols and improved digital tools is expected to make the process smoother than in previous years.

The state government has said that the coming weeks will be crucial in demonstrating the impact of the policy measures rolled out this year. With procurement now underway, senior officials have been directed to remain in the field and conduct regular reviews to ensure that operations remain transparent and fully compliant with norms.

This article has been republished from The Statesman.