Odisha procured 16 lakh metric tonnes more paddy than last year: Minister Krushna Chandra Patra 

By Subadh Nayak

Odisha government has procured 16 lakh metric tonnes more paddy than last year, informed Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra.

While replying to a question at the State Assembly today, the Minister said that the State government has procured a total of 74 lakh metric tonnes this year, which is 16 lakh more than last year.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) takes 26 lakh metric tonnes of rice every year but the central government has agreed to purchase 20 lakh metric tonnes more following the request of the State government, which means the FCI will take 45 lakh metric tonnes of rice in total, the Minister informed.

“Even after FCI takes 45 lakh matric tones, Odisha will have 15 lakh metric tonnes more rice. Therefore, the State government has decided to set up godowns to store the balanced rice. Tender process for the godowns have completed,” the Minister said adding that the government will make arrangements for free sale of the rice.

It is to be noted here that the procurement of paddy began in Odisha on November 20, 2024. The government, which gave a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 3,100 per quintal, had set a target to purchase 77 lakh tonnes.

This article has been republished from The Kalinga TV