Centre allows all states to begin paddy procurement

Category : Politics & Social | Sub Category : Social Posted on 2020-09-28 17:44:07

Centre has  now allowed all remaining procuring States to commence and proceed with their procurement operations for paddy or rice in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21 from today.  However, the commencement of procurement period in respect of Kerala which started on 21st of this month and that of Punjab and Haryana  from 26th of this month will remain unchanged. This will ensure that farmers are facilitated in selling their produce at Minimum Support Price (MSP) expeditiously.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution has issued the uniform specifications of food grains for Central Pool procurement for the ensuing Kharif Marketing Season. These specifications as per standard practice have been issued in respect of paddy, rice and other coarse grains namely Jowar, Bajra, Maize and Ragi. It is for the first time that uniform specification for Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) for grade A and Common Rice have also been issued in case of procurement of Fortified Rice Stocks, of which one percent FRK should be blended with normal rice stock.

The State governments have been requested to ensure that wide publicity of the uniform specifications is made among the farmers to ensure that they get due price for their produce and any rejection of the stocks is completely avoided. All States and Union Territories and Food Corporation of India have been advised that the procurement during  may be strictly in accordance with the uniform specifications. The Food Corporation of India and States Procurement Agencies have also been directed to ensure hassle free procurement and MSP payments to farmers.