Chennai
The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to implement stricter measures and enact legislation to curb alleged “corruption” in paddy procurement centres, claiming that farmers are being systematically exploited despite record procurement this year.
In a representation to the Chief Minister, BJP state spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad alleged that cultivators in the Cauvery Delta and other key paddy-growing districts are forced to pay commissions of Rs 40–60 per 40-kg sack at direct procurement centres. He also claimed that sacks are often under-weighed by about two kilograms each, resulting in estimated losses of Rs 275 per quintal, with malpractices causing crores of rupees in losses over four years.
Prasad highlighted that although the state fixed procurement prices at Rs 2,500 per quintal for common paddy and Rs 2,545 for fine varieties, these rates fail to cover operational costs, which stand at around Rs 2,300 per quintal. He noted Tamil Nadu’s incentive package is significantly lower than Rs 800 offered in states like Punjab and Odisha.
The BJP urged the government to introduce a law ensuring transparency, set up an independent commission to probe irregularities, form special police units, and implement digital monitoring, including CCTV and blockchain-based tracking. Additionally, it called for helplines for farmers and an increased procurement incentive to protect their livelihoods and restore confidence in the system.
