The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers’ Protection Association has alleged that procurement of paddy is being delayed at some direct procurement centres in Thanjavur district.

Association secretary Sundara Vimalanathan said the procurement of paddy, harvested during summer, at the DPCs such as at Eragaram near Kumbakonam and at Maruthuvakudi near Papanasam was hit because of shortage of employees.

Stating that similar situation prevailed at certain other DPCs in the district, he called upon the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation to ensure that DPCs functioned with required number of staff so that the harvested summer crop could be measured by farmers without fail before the kuruvai cultivation season commences in full swing.