Punjab CM urges Centre to address state’s storage concerns

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called for the urgent intervention of Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister Prahlad Joshi to address the state’s rice storage concerns. In a letter, Mann highlighted the severe space crunch faced by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), which has delayed the delivery of rice from the 2023-24 kharif marketing season (KMS).

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Mann noted that 98.35% of due rice has been delivered to the FCI despite challenges, but the lack of storage has forced the state to extend the milling period multiple times, with the current extension lasting until September 30. He warned that with the upcoming KMS 2024-25 expected to yield around 185-190 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy, storage issues will worsen if not addressed.

Currently, 171 LMT of covered storage space in Punjab is already filled with 121 LMT of rice and 50 LMT of wheat, leaving no room for the new rice crop. Mann urged the Centre to mobilise additional rakes for transporting grains, emphasising that at least 25 rakes of wheat and rice should be moved daily from September 2024 to March 2025.

The Chief Minister called for the monthly movement of 20 LMT of food grains to ensure adequate space for the new harvest.