The state food and supplies department released a WhatsApp helpline number on Thursday to maintain transparency in paddy procurement process in Bengal.

From November 1, the department will buy paddy from farmers across the state.

“To confirm complete transparency in the process of procuring paddy from farmers, this helpline has been introduced. Any farmer facing any issue or problem in selling his produce can contact this number and register his complaint. He can also post photographs and videos to substantiate his complaint,” Moumita Godara Basu, the district magistrate of Jalpaiguri, said on Thursday.

So far, there were two helpline numbers – 1967 and 18003455505 — where farmers can call and register their complaints. Using WhatsApp is an additional facility.

“The number in which WhatsApp messages can be sent is 9903055505,” the DM added.

Sources in the administration said that the main problem that farmers face in selling paddy to the state is the highhandedness of middlemen.

“These middlemen in a coordinated manner force farmers to sell paddy to them at lower rates. Even after a farmer gets a bank cheque or money is transferred to the farmer’s bank, the middlemen take a part from him. This WhatsApp facility, we believe, can help reduce these activities of middlemen as farmers can click a photograph as evidence and send it to us. We can take immediate steps against any middleman trying to interfere in the sale,” said a source in the district administration.

This year, paddy would be bought at Rs 1,868 per quintal and Rs 20 more would be paid as transport cost to farmers for bringing the paddy to the purchase centres.

In Jalpaiguri, 20 such centres would be opened, said the district magistrate. Last year, around 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased in the district and this year, there is a target to buy 1.55 lakh metric tonnes.