Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Saturday asked the central government to revise the target of rice procurement from 1,70 lakh metrics tons (LMT) to 191 LMT during the marketing season of Kharif (KMS) 2021-22.
The request was made during the visit of the Food Secretary Union Sudhanshu Pandey to Punjab to review the procurement arrangement during the upcoming season.
He was told that Punjab expected bumper rice plants due to favorable weather conditions at the time of plant maturation.
As per the estimated rice production from the Department of Agriculture and the welfare of farmers, gathered through remote sensing, the production of 191 LMT rice is estimated to be during KMS 2021-22.
The settings needed for the procurement of rice are made by the state.
Pandey appreciates the initiative taken by the state to curb rice and fake rice bills and advise Indian food companies to replicate these steps in other countries.
He also directs that constant vigil is stored in illegal recycling of rice distribution schemes and actions taken against delinquency.
He expressed satisfaction in the arrangement made by the state to procure rice during KMS 2021-22.