Centre to procure additional 3.5 lakh tonne of rice for PDS

The procurement cap of rice for PDS central pool from Karnataka will now be increased to 5 lakh tonne from 1.5 lakh tonne.
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The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution has conveyed its decision to increase the procurement limit from Karnataka for PDS rice.

Accordingly, the procurement cap of custom-milled rice for PDS central pool from Karnataka will now be increased from the earlier 1.5 lakh tonne to 5 lakh tonne for 2024-25.

Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy had written to Union Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on December 13 requesting him to enhance the cap on PDS rice procurement from Karnataka.

Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy had argued that the present procurement cap of 1.5 lakh tonne was insufficient for Karnataka considering its increasing demand and the State’s rice production capacity of 48.91 lakh tonne.