Centre cites Opposition-ruled States’ support for its rice allocation policy

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Amid controversy over poor sales in open sales and the FCI’s rejection of Karnataka’s request for additional rice, the center on Monday said it had the support of food ministers in 16 out of 17 states including the Congress-governed states of Rajasthan, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. Rice distribution and sale policy. The poor buying in the open sales online auction was explained by a possible “lack of awareness” among buyers.

Blame Karnataka

“All but one state supported our policy and made it clear that only one country’s interest cannot be maintained,” Food Minister Sanjeev Chopra told reporters, indirectly referring to Karnataka’s isolation on the issue at the meeting of food ministers. last week.

The issue before the ministerial conference was whether the central pool stock for retail operations should be used to correct (lower) the market price or to supplement the allocation to some states for further distribution to NFSA beneficiaries.

Noting that the current annual requirement of rice for distribution through ration shops and other welfare systems is 360,000 tons (litres), Chopra said: “If all states required additional allocation of the same quantity, the requirement would be 720 liters while the annual amount of rice purchase It is only 560-570 liters.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) sold just 170 tonnes or 0.04 per cent of the 3.86 liters of rice offered in the first auction under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) on July 5.

The signal is very important, Chopra said, though there has been a lukewarm response and the government is open to making the necessary changes, if necessary. Asked how to increase availability without a guarantee of purchase, he said, “It (the rice auction) has just started, and there are nine months left. We will wait and watch.” He also said that the rice auction is being held for the first time in many years as only wheat was auctioned in He added that people may not be aware of much and that the FCI is taking steps to raise awareness (among buyers).