Centre announces start of rice procurement ahead of usual start date of 1 October

New Delhi: The food ministry, on Monday, announced early commencement of procurement operation for rice in all the states - ahead of the normal procurement start date of October 1.
The government had already advanced its procurement operations in Punjab and Haryana from September 26.

The ministry has also issued the uniform specifications of food grains for Central Pool procurement for the ensuing Kharif Marketing Seasons 2020-21.

These specifications as per standard practice have been issued for rice and other coarse grains including jowar, bajra, maize and ragi. “These specifications also include standards of rice for distribution under public distribution and other welfare schemes based on the uniform specifications of rice,” said a senior food ministry official.

The government has set a target of procuring 49.5 million tonnes of rice. This year, as per the first advance estimates, the production of rice is likely to be 102.36 million tonnes.

“We buy rice at Rs 1,868-1,888 per quintal depending on the quality. As early arrivals started in mandis of Punjab, Haryana and Tamil Nadu, we have directed Food Corporation of India and other state agencies to start procurement. We are committed to buy grains at minimum support price (MSP),” the official said.

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the apex financing organisation of agriculture ministry has sanctioned the first instalment of Rs 19,444 crores to the states of Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Telangana for rice procurement under Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations.

“Chhattisgarh gets the highest amount to the tune of Rs 9,000 crores. Haryana has been sanctioned Rs 5,444 crores and Telangana Rs 5,500 crores,” the official said.