The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation on Saturday opened 11 paddy direct procurement centres at Gobichettipalayam block for the current kurvai cultivation period.
Minister for School Education K.A. Sengottaiyan inaugurated the centre at Elur village in the presence of District Revenue Officer S. Kavitha, Tirupur MP V. Sathyabama and officials. Centres also started functioning at T.N. Palayam, Kallipatti, N.G. Palayam, Puduvalliyampalayam, Kasipalayam, Pudukaraipudur, Kugalur, Karattipalayam, Mevani and Athani.
Officials said that Grade A variety of paddy would be purchased for minimum support price of ₹1,770 a quintal, with an incentive of ₹70. The common variety would be purchased for ₹1,750 with an incentive of ₹50.
During 2017-18, 20,905 metric tonnes paddy was purchased from 2,939 farmers, they added. Hence, farmers were asked to bring their produce to the centres and get it weighted exactly and receive the money through electronic transfer immediately.