Telangana left with over 1L MT coarse rice as ration policy shifts; govt explores disposal amid bumper paddy haul, FCI offloading adds to challenge
The Congress government in Hyderabad is dealing with a surplus of coarse rice. This happened after they started giving out fine rice through ration shops. The Civil Supplies Corporation procured a lot of paddy this season.
HYDERABAD: The Congress govt, which started distributing fine rice to ration card holders since May, is left with over a lakh metric tonnes (MTs) of coarse variety of the staple in its godowns.
The challenge before the govt is how to dispose of the huge stocks, as the supply of coarse rice was stopped through the fair price (FP) shops from April.
What's more, the Civil Supplies Corporation, led by its commissioner DS Chauhan, achieved a record paddy procurement during the kharif. The procurement is set to reach 75 lakh metric tonnes -24 lakh metric tonne fine and the remaining (51 tonnes) coarse.
Given the fact that even Food Corporation of India (FCI) is offloading its excess stocks of coarse variety rice, and there is good production of paddy in many other states, with Chhattisgarh even willing to sell its paddy at 1,800 per quintal, the civil supplies department is working on various options for selling the existing stock and that procured from the rabi this year.
However, Chauhan said disposing of the existing stocks is not a big deal as it is safely preserved in godowns, mandal-level stock points and FP shops. "We are working with stakeholders on how to dispose of the stock. After milling, the 51 lakh metric tonnes of coarse variety paddy will yield not more than 35 lakh MT of rice," he said.
Sources said that although FCI is offloading its excess stocks, it would place its indent for the kharif crop, based on which how much coarse rice would be lifted from Telangana will be known.
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"Chauhan had earlier worked with FCI and maintained cordial relations with the Centre, due to which there should not be a problem in disposing of coarse variety rice," a senior official said.
The state govt has initiated the formulation of state-specific monitoring guidelines for the direct selling sector. The department of consumer affairs, food and civil supplies has been designated as the nodal department, with the commissioner of civil supplies, DS Chauhan, as its nodal officer for enforcement and supervision.
Guidelines would be prepared in tune with the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules, 2021, issued by the Centre, to regulate business practices, ensure consumer safety, and prevent exploitation.
The first of the consultative meetings was held on Saturday, involving key departments such as industries and commerce, commercial taxes, legal metrology, drugs control, excise, preventive medicine, and police, along with representatives from national industry bodies. The guidelines would be framed by striking a balance between regulation and ease of doing business, Chauhan added.
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