Chhattisgarh's paddy purchases to begin Oct 20

Raipur, Sep 28 (IANS) The Chhattisgarh government Sunday announced it will start purchasing paddy from farmers Oct 20 at its 1,577 procurement centres.

'The whole procurement system will be totally computerised and the government will pay Rs.850 per quintal for common grade paddy and Rs.880 per quintal for grade-A category paddy,' a government statement said.

Officials said the government drive would help about one million farmers earn at least Rs.30 billion by selling four million tonnes of paddy this year despite a poor monsoon in the state.