Centre Agrees to Procure Eight Lakh Tonnes of Rice from Odisha, CM Announces Development Projects

Amid protests over paddy procurement in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the Centre has agreed to procure eight lakh tonnes of rice from the state. The Odisha government is arranging to collect paddy from farmers and has launched development projects worth over Rs 891 crore to enhance irrigation in drought-prone Kalahandi. Majhi highlighted benefits to farmers from various welfare schemes and announced plans for major irrigation projects pending central approval, alongside initiatives to boost local agriculture.