Relief for Raipur as centre to buy more paddy

NEW DELHI: Engaged in a face-off with the BJP government at the Centre over procurement of paddy after a bumper crop, the Congress–government in Chhattisgarh has got some relief with the Centre agreeing to buy paddy in excess of the state’s quota in the central pool.
The Centre has assured the state that it would buy 24 lakh tonnes. Though a relief, it still doesn’t fulfil the state government’s demand for buying 32 lakh tonnes.

At the centre of this tussle between the Centre and Chhattisgarh government is Congress’ 2018 poll promise of paying a bonus above the minimum support price (MSP) while procuring paddy from farmers.

After assuming power, Congress government procured paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal over and above the MSP of Rs 1750-1,770 per quintal. Now saddled with excess paddy, the Chhattisgarh government wanted Centre to take the surplus rice to the tune of 32 lakh tonnes.

The Centre has agreed to buy 24 lakh tonnes of Usna rice, a particular variety. The question mark still remains on the procurement of Arva variety.