Centre gives in-principle nod as Telangana seeks procurement of 30 LMT boiled rice for Rabi season
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy met with the Central government leadership and requested the procurement of 30 LMT of boiled rice for the ongoing Rabi season.
The proposal was aimed at addressing critical gaps in the State’s grain procurement and financial stability.
Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, on Friday, who heard the proposal, gave his in-principle approval.
The procurement breakthrough
The focus of the memorandum was the procurement of 30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of boiled rice for the current Yasangi (Rabi) season.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Telangana’s Rabi harvest, projected to reach a bumper 90 LMT of paddy, is naturally suited for parboiling rather than raw milling due to high temperatures during the harvest months.
The agreement includes:
– 30 LMT of parboiled rice with a 5% broken grain limit.
– 5 LMT of raw rice with a 10% broken grain limit.
The Chief Minister argued for the demand with data from the past six Yasangi seasons, demonstrating that parboiled rice consistently meets the country’s growing food security needs.
Clearing a decade-old debt
Beyond procurement, the Telangana delegation made a strong appeal for the immediate release of Rs 1,468.94 crore in pending arrears.
These dues date back over a decade to the 2014-15 Kharif season, involving additional levy costs borne by the state. The CM emphasised that while the state ensures farmers are paid within 48 hours of procurement, the mounting financial burden on the State Civil Supplies Department makes the release of these arrears essential for fiscal health.
Distribution of Fortified Rice Kernels
The leaders also urged the Union Minister to resume the distribution of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK).
The scheme, which blends essential micronutrients into rice distributed through schools, hostels and ICDS centres, was recently halted. CM Revanth noted its vital role in combating anaemia and malnutrition among vulnerable children in the state.
Understanding rice production in Telangana
To understand the importance of the meeting, one must look at the unique agricultural and political landscape of Telangana’s rice production:
1. Overcoming the parboiled rice dilemma
During the Yasangi (Rabi) season, temperatures in Telangana soar. When this ‘hot weather’ paddy is milled into raw rice, the grains become brittle and break easily. To prevent massive losses, the paddy is parboiled (partially boiled in the husk), which strengthens the grain.
In previous years, the Centre and State have clashed over this.
The Centre previously restricted boiled rice procurement, citing a surplus in the Central pool, leading to massive protests in Telangana. This ‘in-principle approval’ marks a major de-escalation of that long-standing tension.
2. Financial strain and the 2014 dues
Telangana operates under the Decentralised Procurement (DCP) system. It means the state procures grain on behalf of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) using bank loans.
Any delay in Central reimbursements leads to massive interest burdens on the state. The Rs 1,468 crore in arrears from 2014-15 represents a decade-long wait for reimbursement of costs the state paid to farmers upfront.
3. The fortified rice pause affecting students
The recent nationwide pause in fortified rice distribution followed studies concerning the shelf life and nutrient stability of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) during long-term storage.
However, for states like Telangana with high anaemia rates, the suspension of this program in schools and ICDS centres creates a significant gap in public health initiatives.
This article has been republished from The News Meter.