In a significant move to regulate the agricultural market, the Cachar district administration in Assam has issued a stringent order, making it mandatory for farmers to sell their paddy exclusively through government-notified centres and strictly at the official Minimum Support Price (MSP). The directive, announced by officials on Friday, aims to overhaul the procurement system in the district.
Strict Enforcement of MSP and Designated Centres
The core of the new regulation mandates that all paddy sales by farmers in Cachar must be conducted through officially notified Paddy Procurement Centres (PPCs). The administration has explicitly prohibited the sale or purchase of paddy below the Central Government's fixed MSP for the current kharif marketing season. This measure is designed to shield farmers from exploitation by middlemen and ensure they receive the full financial benefit guaranteed by the state.
The legal framework for this crackdown is the Assam Paddy and Rice Procurement (Levy and Licensing) Permanent Order, 1995, which has been invoked with immediate effect. The order applies uniformly to all stakeholders in the supply chain, including farmers, traders, commission agents, rice millers, and procurement agencies themselves.
Curbing Unauthorised Trade and Transport
To eliminate grey market operations, the administration has banned all transactions involving unauthorised traders, agents, or organisations that are not licensed under the 1995 order. In a parallel move to tighten control, restrictions have been imposed on the inter-district transportation of paddy.
No paddy will be permitted to be moved or sold outside the boundaries of Cachar district without prior authorisation from the competent authority, as stipulated in the procurement norms. This is intended to prevent the diversion of produce and ensure all procurement is channeled through the official, transparent system.
Compliance and Consequences for Violations
The district administration has issued clear instructions to all entities involved. Traders, millers, transporters, and procurement agencies must strictly adhere to licensing conditions, fulfil levy obligations, submit accurate stock declarations, and follow movement regulations.
The notification carries a stern warning: any breach of these rules will invite stringent legal action. Authorities will prosecute violations under the 1995 Permanent Order, the Essential Commodities Act of 1955, and other relevant laws. Officials state that the overarching goal of these measures is to establish a transparent, orderly, and farmer-centric procurement mechanism in Cachar, eliminating malpractices and ensuring fair prices reach the cultivators directly.
