Union ministry approves FCI to accept 10 LMT parboiled rice from Odisha in kharif season 2023-24. Odisha, the fourth largest paddy producing state, estimates 79 LMT rice collection. BJD criticizes Pradhan’s letter writing drama, but thanks Goyal for approving rice procurement.

Representational image (ANI)

BHUBANESWAR: Union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution has given its approval for acceptance of 10 lakh metric tonne (LMT) of parboiled rice by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in Odisha during kharif marketing season (KMS) 2023-24.

Union consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister Piyush Goyal stated this in a letter dated Jan 18 to his Cabinet colleague Dharmendra Pradhan.

On Jan 16, Pradhan had written a letter to Goyal on this issue to procure the parboiled rice from Odisha in kharif season 2023-24 in addition to augmentation of procurement targets.

Odisha is the fourth largest paddy producing state in the country. Due to the bumper harvest, it is estimated that 79 LMT rice will be collected in kharif marketing season 2023-24 in the state, said the official sources.

Centre has allocated a target of procuring 44.28 LMT of rice in the kharif season 2023-24 in initial allocation of targets. “Besides meeting the state’s own requirement of rice for the National Food Security Act (NFSA), State Food Security Act (SFSA) and other welfare schemes, enough parboiled fortified rice would be left in excess which needs to be evacuated by the FCI,” said Pradhan in his letter to Goyal.

BJD on Friday dubbed this letter writing a drama of Pradhan. BJD leader Snehangini Chhuria said Pradhan is doing theatrics by writing a letter to his Cabinet colleague and distributing it among media houses. “He could have called or discussed with his colleague on this issue instead of engaging in this letter writing exercise. He is doing this as the election is coming,” she added.

Chhuria said he was silent on this matter during the last 10 years. However, she thanked Goyal for approving the procurement of 10 LMT parboiled rice from Odisha.

Published Date: January 20, 2024