Cuttack: The State Transport Authority (STA) has advised the owners of the trucks transporting paddy to install location tracking devices in the vehicles by November 15, in order to ensure seamless transport of paddy during the procurement process. According to reports, the state government has set a target of procuring 86 lakh tonne paddy this year. To streamline the transport system during the paddy procurement process and address the significant delays in loading paddy at mandis and unloading at mills, the STA has proposed several recommendations.
Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur held discussions with the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd (OSCSCL), Truck Owners’ Association and transport contractors at the STA office here Friday, to streamline the transport system for paddy procurement. The transport commissioner has advised that all truck owners should install vehicle location tracking devices by November 15. Thakur provided suggestions to ensure the smooth transportation of paddy as the procurement process is set to begin by the end of November. The OSCSCL is set to issue a tender for paddy transportation soon. The meeting was convened to take proactive steps in involving more truck owners in the process. Various issues faced by truck owners during the transport of paddy were discussed in threadbare.
Chief Manager of OSCSCL, Sudhakar Sahu, highlighted several aspects of the tender. Thakur also suggested that to avoid discrepancies in paddy procurement, a representative from the miller should remain present at the mandi during loading, and that the paddy should be covered with tarpaulin and sealed after loading. The installation of vehicle location tracking devices on trucks was proposed as a solution to the delays in unloading. The transport commissioner recommended that the OSCSCL should amend the tender rules by reducing the earnest money deposit (EMD) ratio to 3 per cent and lowering the transport experience requirements for eligibility.
Earlier, The Odisha government already said it will seal borders with neighbouring states when it begins paddy procurement for the kharif season next month.