Lok Sabha Question No. 51 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Hardships Faced by Farmers due to Glitches in Digital Systems
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 51

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 03 RD  FEBRUARY, 2026

## HARDSHIP FACED BY FARMERS DUE TO GLITCHES IN DIGITAL SYSTEMS

* 51.  SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  extreme  hardships  are  being  faced  by  small  and  marginal  farmers  in Chhattisgarh due to digital systems such as 'Agri Stack' and biometric authentication for paddy procurement;
- (b) whether technical glitches in the online token system and discrepancies in revenue records  (Girdawari)  have  led  to  deep  mental  stress  and  economic  crisis  among farmers of the State;
- (c) whether the Government has received reports of farmers taking suicidal steps in despair across various districts and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to suspend these digital mandates until 100% internet connectivity and error-free digital records are ensured in rural areas?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of House.

STATEMENT  MADE  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  to  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO. 51 REGARDING HARDSHIP FACED BY FARMERS DUE TO GLITCHES IN DIGITAL SYSTEMS RAISED BY SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT DUE FOR REPLY ON 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2026.

(a): Small and marginal farmers in Chhattisgarh have not experienced extreme hardships following the implementation of digital systems such as AgriStack; instead, these initiatives have supported smoother access to agricultural services and information. A total of 13.70 lakh marginal farmers and 12.83 lakh small farmers have successfully registered for paddy procurement  in  the  State  using  Farmer  IDs  under  AgriStack.  Regarding  biometric authentication for paddy procurement, the system has been designed to ensure ease of sale for  farmers.  Biometric  authentication  is  completed  through  One  Time  Password  (OTP) based verification,  IRIS  scan,  or  fingerprint  authentication,  providing  multiple  convenient options and facilitating smooth paddy procurement. (b): No technical glitches have been reported in the online token system. Notably, 14.72 lakh small farmers and 11.99 lakh marginal farmers have received tokens through the online token  system.  In  cases  where  discrepancies  arise  in  Girdawari  (revenue  records),  a provision for physical verification has been made available through the PV App, ensuring timely correction and resolution of such issues. (c): The  Government  of  Chhattisgarh  has  stated  that,  to  date,  no  reports  have  been received indicating farmer suicides attributable to inconvenience or issues related to the paddy procurement process. The Government of Chhattisgarh does not propose to suspend these digital systems, as  they  are  intended  to  enhance  transparency,  efficiency,  and  farmer  convenience  in

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(d): procurement operations.