Delay in the setting up of IKP (Indira Kranthi Patham) paddy procurement centres coupled with the recent unseasonal rain has become a cause of concern for the farming community. Besides, some of the paddy brought to the procurement centres was also ruined in the showers due to lack of tarpaulin sheets to protect them. Election caused delayThe delay in opening paddy procurement centres has been attributed to the election season. Arrivals yet to pick upDRDO Venkateshwar Rao said so far they have opened 66 IKP procurement centres and purchased 8,023 quintals of paddy worth ₹1.42 crore from 117 farmers. He also claimed that adequate tarpaulin sheets were provided to protect the produce at the procurement centres.

Source: The Hindu April 20, 2019 18:22 UTC