Bhubaneswar, Nov. 19 -- Cooperative Minister Pradeep Balsamant on Wednesday informed that the mandis will be opened from December 25 for the procurement of paddy.

The authorities are fully prepared to procure paddy from the registered farmers. Millers have been assigned the responsibility of clearing the godowns to ensure smooth operations, he informed.

The paddy cultivation has increased this year as compared to the previous year, reflecting a higher yield for farmers. The government has assured that paddy will be procured from all those who have registered, leaving no farmer unattended.

Reportedly, to modernise the procurement process, tenders have been issued for 32 model mandis, with an expenditure of Rs 300 crore. These model mand...