Hyderabad, Oct 3 (Reporter) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday evening directed the officials concerned to make all arrangements ensuring the process of Paddy procurement is done smoothly in all the districts across the state. As promised by the government, the Chief Minister said that a Rs.500 bonus will be paid per quintal to the fine varieties of Paddy in addition to the Minimum support price ( MSP) in this farming season. The government is also making arrangements to deposit money in the farmers accounts within 48 hours of the procurement of Paddy, the CM said the farmers received the amount in three days last year during the previous government (BRS). Revanth Reddy along with Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who spoke to Collectors and SPs of all districts through video conference from the Secretariat here, announced that more than 7, 000 procurement centers are already opened to purchase Paddy in the Kharif season across the state. The CM ordered the Collectors to establish some more procurement centers, if required, to meet the demand. The Chief Minister said that Paddy was cultivated in 66.73 lakh acres in the state during this season. The State Agriculture department estimated the highest record production of 140 lakh metric tons ( MT) of Paddy in the state this time . Since it is the first time the farmers are being given bonus, the Chief minister held the Collectors accountable and asked the district authorities to take utmost care in the disbursement of bonus to the farmers without any mistakes. The CM advised the officials to make separate arrangements to procure fine varieties of paddy by establishing measurement machines at the centers. Officials have been asked to strictly follow the prescribed standards while buying fine varieties, the CM said that machines and personnel for validating fine varieties should be made available at all procurement centers. The CM asked the authorities to make fool proof arrangements and prevent wrongdoings at the centers. The CM suggested to the officials allot a number to each center and the same number should be marked on the Paddy bags which are being purchased in the centers. Reddy alerted the police officials to curb Paddy smuggling from the neighbouring states. The CM asked the officials to keep a continuous vigil at the check posts. The officials are asked to book criminal cases if anyone harassed farmers and cheated them in the guise of moisture content or other reasons ( Talu and tarugu) in the paddy at the centers. Collectors should take the responsibility of addressing the grievances of the farmers and ensure that the farmers should not be exploited, he said. Government is estimating to procure 91 metric tonnes of paddy out of 146 metric tonnes of production this year. Out of that, 44 lakh metric tonnes is estimated to be Coarse paddy and 47 lakh metric tons of fine variety, he said...////...