Central Nod To Odisha’s Demand To Provide More Rice

June 1, 2016 Government

BHUBANESWAR: A day before the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Odisha, the Centre on Wednesday agreed to Odisha government’s demand for higher rice quota allocation under National Food Security Act.

Now, Odisha would get rice and wheat at 85:15 ratio under NFSA. Earlier, Odisha was getting in the ratio of 78.81 : 21.81.

It was informed by Union Food minister Ram Vilas Paswan to Union Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a letter.

“Considering your request and the request of state government, the allocation of rice and wheat has been revised from May 2016 onwards in the ratio as demanded by the state government,” said Paswan in the letter.

Under the revised quota, Odisha will receive 1,45,859 tonnes of rice as compared to 1,33,972 tonne, he added.

Notably, the ruling BJD government has made it a political issue. It had also submitted a memorandum to Governor addressing the President of India during the recently concluded budget session of state Assembly.