Paddy procurement for the Rabi season will start from May 1 in 18 districts. The state government wants to procure over 10 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of paddy during the season. The decision was taken at a state-level paddy procurement meeting here headed by chief secretary A P Padhi. Reviewing the preparations, Padhi directed the food supplies and consumer welfare department to strengthen infrastructure at the mandis and ensure timely transfer of money to the farmers bank accounts.