Baghel to urge PM to procure par-boiled rice

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said he has sought time from the Prime Minister to request him to also procure ‘Usna’ (par-boiled) rice from the state.

The Central government has in principle granted permission to procure 61.65 lakh tonnes of ‘Arwa’ rice to the Central pool but has stopped taking ‘Usna’ (par-boiled) rice from this year, he said.

So, Baghel said he and his Cabinet have sought time Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put forward the demand.

Chhattisgarh Food and Civil Supplies Minister Amarjeet Bhagat earlier sought appointment with Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal but the latter declined to meet, Baghel said.

He said the state has 461 mills producing Usna (par-boiled) rice and has a milling capacity of 5.93 lakh tonnes. It will cause losses to millers and workers.

This year’s target of paddy procurement is 105 lakh tones. The procurement will start in Chhattisgarh from December 1.