Hassan DC Conducts Surprise Inspection of Ragi Procurement Centers, Issues Legal Warning
In a decisive move to ensure transparency, Hassan District Commissioner K S Latha Kumari paid a surprise visit to ragi procurement centers on Monday, issuing a stern warning of legal action against those found indulging in irregularities. The inspection comes as the procurement process for ragi, a major crop for farmers in the district, gains significant momentum.
On-Site Inspection at APMC Center
The DC visited a procurement center that had recently opened at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) facility, conducting a thorough on-site inspection. During her visit, she interacted directly with farmers and issued clear instructions to concerned officials to prioritize transparency throughout the procurement process.
Procurement Center Status and Operations
According to the DC, a total of 26 ragi procurement centers have been established across the district. Currently, procurement activities are actively ongoing at 24 of these centers, while purchases have not yet commenced at the Sakleshpur and Alur centers. Arasikere leads the district with the highest number of operational centers, boasting 10 active procurement facilities.
The procurement drive is scheduled to continue until the end of this month. If necessary, authorities plan to submit a formal request to the government for an extension of the procurement period to accommodate farmer needs.
Farmer Complaints and Immediate Response
During the inspection, several farmers voiced significant dissatisfaction with the current procurement system. Key complaints included excessive wastage during the cleaning of ragi, unreasonably high fees demanded by laborers for carrying bags, and farmers being forced to wait for hours to complete their transactions.
To address these pressing issues promptly, the DC announced the formation of a special committee under the leadership of the tahsildar. This committee will include the APMC secretary, food department officials, deputy tahsildar, and staff from the food corporation, with the explicit mandate of ensuring transparent procurement operations at each center.
Technological and Logistical Measures
In a bid to prevent irregularities during transportation, GPS devices have been installed on all trucks that transport purchased ragi to warehouses. This technological intervention aims to create an auditable trail and deter potential malpractices.
Regarding procurement limits, the government regulations specify that ragi is being purchased up to 10 quintals per hectare, with a maximum cap of 50 quintals per farmer. While the agency has provided three vehicles for transportation, the DC acknowledged that five vehicles are actually needed to meet demand effectively. She assured farmers that measures will be implemented to prevent unnecessary waiting times caused by vehicle shortages.
The DC emphasized that her administration remains committed to supporting farmers through fair and efficient procurement practices, with continuous monitoring to ensure compliance and address grievances swiftly.
