Procure paddy at 17.5% moisture to avoid fine: Minister

Trichy: Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) has been instructed to procure paddy at not more than 17.5% moisture level from farmers to prevent penalties on employees due to weight loss of procured grains, minister for food and civil supplies P Venkataramanan, said on Thursday.The minister, who is also the in-charge minister for Mayiladuthurai district, visited the district on Wednesday and Thursday and inspected paddy stocks at TNCSC warehouses including the Erukkur Modern Rice Mill.On Thursday, Venkataramanan addressed the issue of penalties being imposed on employees at direct paddy procurement centres after staff raised their grievances with him. The employees had complained that they were being penalised for weight loss observed after procurement.Venkataramanan said, “We have instructed that the moisture content of the procured paddy should be ensured at not more than 17.5%. Dryers will be provided if needed to dry the paddy. By procuring in this manner, there will be no weight loss in the paddy.”The minister noted that paddy procurement has increased significantly. He added that the government is strengthening infrastructure by establishing additional godowns and procurement centres, particularly in the delta districts.