Bhubaneswar, Nov 17 (Reporter) Preparations for paddy procurement during this year's kharif season in Odisha are in their final stages and the process is set to commence in Bargarh and Sambalpur districts on November 20 and 22, respectively, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singhdeo announced. Singhdeo, who holds the Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment portfolio, chaired an inter-ministerial review meeting on Sunday. He emphasized the need to expedite the paddy procurement process as the scheduled dates approach. He directed officials to eliminate irregularities, such as brokering and unfair deductions, and to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce. For the first time, farmers will receive additional input assistance of Rs.800 per quintal, in addition to the minimum support price for paddy. The disbursement of this assistance will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Sohela, Bargarh district, on December 8, according to official sources. Farmers who sell paddy at mandis by December 7 will receive the Rs.800 per quintal assistance in one installment. Automatic grain analyzers will be used to test the quality of grains. These machines have already been installed at 200 large paddy procurement centers (PPCs) with a collection capacity of over 4,000 metric tons. Moisture testing machines have also been arranged for these centers. Singhdeo urged millers to be present at the mandis to prevent malpractice, such as unfair deductions (katni chhatni). Each district will have a control room system to assist farmers. To ensure transparency, nodal officers and supervisors have been appointed at the mandis. Food Supply and Consumer Affairs Minister Krushna Chandra Patro, Cooperation Minister Pradip Bal Samant, and senior officials from the Agriculture Department also attended the meeting...////...