There has been a marginal drop in rice procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in Andhra Pradesh. According to the latest figures available (as on March 27), FCI procured 39.58 lakh tonnes in the State as against 40.13 lakh tonnes on the same date last year.
Various Government agencies procured paddy stocks of 9.77 lakh tonnes on March 27 as against 2.57 lakh tonnes in the comparable period. The agencies included FCI, AP State Civil Supplies and Indira Kranti Patham which is , a World Bank funded programme. Rice millers procured 83 lakh tonnes (74.45 lakh tonnes) of paddy.
In all, the State procured 92.75 lakh tonnes of paddy (77 lakh tonnes) from 1,760 purchase centres, a Civil Supplies Department statement said.
Farmers can deliver paddy to Government agencies at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,080 a quintal for common grade paddy and Rs 1,110 for Grade-A paddy, Mr Harpreet Singh Commissioner of Civil Supplies, said.
“If need be, Joint Collectors will open more paddy purchase centres to ensure that farmers get the MSP. If they face any problem in getting the MSP, they can call us at toll-free numbers 1800 4252 977 or 1800 4250 092,” he said.
Farmers associations have alleged that Government has failed in paddy procurement, forcing farmers to pile up stocks on the fields. They also complained that farmers short-changed with respect to MSP as millers paid far less.