Centre asks TS to deposit 6.05 LMT of fortified parboiled rice with FCI

Hyderabad: The Centre has allowed the Telangana government to deposit a total of 6.05 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of fortified parboiled rice with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) out of the remaining paddy of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21 (Rabi crop) and paddy of KMS 2021-22. The letter in this regard was issued on 11 May, keeping in view the request of the state government.

The original milling/delivery of customed milled rice (CMR) period of KMS 2020-21 (Rabi) in Telangana was up to September 2021. At the request of the state government, this has been extended for the seventh time up to May 2022.

Earlier, the Centre had approved the procurement of 40.20 LMT of rice in Telangana during KMS 2021-22 (Rabi crop) with a procurement period up to June 2022 and a milling period up to September 2022. As requested by the state government in a letter dated 13 April, the department of food and public distribution, in its letter dated 18 April, approved the procurement estimate.

The ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution said the government of India has always supported procurement operations in all states, including Telangana. As compared to 15.79 LMT of rice procured during KMS 2015-16 benefitting 5,35,007 farmers with MSP value of Rs. 3,417.15 crores, 94.53 LMT of rice was procured in Telangana during KMS 2020-21 benefitting 21,64,354 farmers with MSP value of Rs. 26,637.39 crores.

As of 11 May 2022, in the ongoing KMS 2021-22, 72.71 LMT of paddy (48.72 LMT of equivalent rice) has been procured benefitting 11,14,833 farmers with MSP value Rs. 14251.59 crores.