Stringent norms slow down FCI purchase

Faridkot, October 11

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The Food Cooperation of India (FCI) seems to be sluggish in purchasing paddy in Faridkot district this season. Against the arrival of total 46,472 metric tonnes of paddy in the district, the FCI has purchased merely 45 MT (less than 0.1 per cent) so far.

Among all state procurement agencies, Pungrain has purchased the most (17,206 MT) in Faridkot, followed by Markfed (15,289 MT and Punsup (9,731 MT).

Last year, the FCI procured 2.69 LMT of paddy in the state of the total 202.78 Lakh MT, said a senior FCI functionary. “As we are restricted to quality specifications regarding moisture content in the paddy, so most farmers and commission agents prefer the state agencies over the FCI at this stage,” said the officer. — TNS

Random inspection at 2% state mandis

Amidst complaints of high moisture content in paddy arriving in mandis of Punjab, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has decided to inspect 2 per cent of grain markets randomly.