Revanth Reddy urges centre to procure 30 Lakh Metric Tonnes of boiled rice

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urged the Centre to procure 30 LMT of boiled rice from Telangana and release pending dues of Rs 1,468.94 crore. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi gave in-principle approval, while discussions also covered Fortified Rice Kernel distribution.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy urged Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi to procure 30 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of boiled rice from Telangana in the Yasangi (Rabi) season.

The Central government was also asked to immediately release outstanding dues of Rs.1,468.94 crore, pertaining to the procurement of additional levy from the 2014-15 Kharif (monsoon) season.

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The Chief Minister and Civil Supplies Minister met the Union Minister in New Delhi on Friday. They brought to the attention of Pralhad Joshi that the paddy harvested during the rabi season was suitable for milling of boiled rice.

The Union Minister was reminded that Ministry of Food and Public Distribution officials suggested increasing boiled rice supply in view of the growing demand across the country. About 90 LMT of paddy was expected to be produced in Telangana during the current Yasangi season and the harvested crop was suitable for milling into parboiled rice.

The Chief Minister said that Telangana was ready to supply a total of 30 LMT of parboiled rice (with 5 percent broken rice content) and 5 LMT of raw rice (with 10 percent broken rice content) from the Yasangi harvest.

Prahlad Joshi in-principle approved the proposal.

In view of financial challenges being faced by the State Civil Supplies department, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to expedite the release of pending arrears. Prahlad Joshi was also requested to resume the distribution of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) immediately.

The fortified rise was distributed through schools, hostels and ICDS centers to prevent anemia and nutritional deficiencies among children. The Chief Minister pointed out that the scheme was stopped recently