Telangana Pushes for 30 LMT Boiled Rice Procurement, Seeks Clearance of Rs 1469 Crore Pending Dues

The A Revanth Reddy-led government has intensified its demand for higher rice procurement from the Centre, urging it to procure 30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of parboiled rice from Telangana during the ongoing Yasangi (Rabi) marketing season.

In a meeting held in New Delhi with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, the Chief Minister, along with Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, presented a detailed case highlighting the state’s robust paddy output and its suitability for parboiled rice production.

The Telangana government informed the Centre that nearly 90 LMT of paddy is expected to be produced during the current Yasangi season. A significant portion of this harvest is suitable for milling into parboiled rice, which is increasingly in demand across various parts of the country. Officials from the Union ministry had earlier also suggested boosting the supply of parboiled rice to meet national requirements.

Based on this, the state has offered to supply 30 LMT of parboiled rice with 5% broken grain content, along with an additional 5 LMT of raw rice containing 10% broken grains. The proposal received in-principle approval from the Union Minister, indicating a positive response from the Centre.

However, the state also flagged serious financial constraints faced by its Civil Supplies Department. The Chief Minister urged the Centre to immediately release pending dues of Rs 1,468.94 crore related to the procurement of additional levy rice from the 2014-15 Kharif season. He stressed that clearing these arrears is crucial for maintaining smooth procurement operations and ensuring timely payments to farmers.

Another key issue raised during the meeting was the suspension of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) distribution. The Chief Minister requested the Centre to resume the scheme without delay, emphasizing its importance in tackling anemia and malnutrition among children. The fortified rice was previously distributed through schools, hostels, and ICDS centres, benefiting vulnerable sections of society.

The discussions reflect Telangana’s dual focus on ensuring farmer welfare through expanded procurement and addressing nutritional challenges through welfare schemes. With a strong harvest and rising demand, the state is positioning itself as a key contributor to the national food security system.