In an important development during his visit to New Delhi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, met the Hon’ble Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, to discuss key issues related to paddy procurement under the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024–25.

During the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister handed over a letter from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, emphasizing the need to enhance the procurement target of Custom Milled Rice (CMR) for the state. He sought the personal intervention of the Union Minister to ensure timely approval and implementation.

Request for Enhancement of Procurement Target

Currently, the Government of India has fixed the procurement target at 50 LMT, whereas the actual resultant CMR from the paddy procured in Odisha stands at 62.54 LMT. Highlighting this gap, Shri Singh Deo urged the Union Minister to approve an urgent enhancement of the CMR procurement target to align with the state’s actual production figures.

He pointed out that the mismatch could lead to storage and logistical challenges for Odisha unless the target is increased promptly.

Appeal for Extension of Delivery Deadline

The Deputy Chief Minister also requested the extension of the CMR delivery deadline from October 31, 2025, to December 31, 2025. He urged the Union Minister to direct the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to expedite the lifting and evacuation process of the remaining stock within the extended timeframe.

Such an extension, he added, would greatly assist Odisha in effectively managing its storage, milling, and distribution operations, ensuring a smoother procurement process.

Senior Officials Accompany the Deputy CM

Accompanying Shri Singh Deo during the meeting were Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department, and Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Odisha.

The meeting reflected the state’s proactive approach to ensuring that farmers’ interests and procurement operations remain uninterrupted, and the central government’s cooperation is strengthened for the smooth functioning of the Kharif Marketing Season.

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