Odisha Minister Patra warns mill owners against purchase of paddy from farmers

BHUBANESWAR: Food Supplies minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Saturday warned rice mill owners of serious consequences if they attempted to purchase paddy from farmers.

Patra’s warning came following reports that some millers have been purchasing paddy directly from farmers at rates almost half of the enhanced minimum support price of Rs 3,100 per quintal.

“It has come to the notice of the state government that a rice mill of Nuapada district has stored 500 quintal of paddy which the owner purchased directly from farmers at Rs 1,700 per quintal. The mill has been sealed,” Patra told reporters.