Hyderabad, September 07: Following a favourable monsoon, the Andhra Pradesh Government has expressed optimism that the paddy production in the ongoing kharif season would register a growth of 12 per cent to touch 130 lakh metric tonnes.
In a review meeting held at the State Secretariat on Tuesday, the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy directed the government agencies to increase their procurement substantially in view of increased production. The government would make arrangements to procure 30 to 50 lakh of metric tonnes grains from the farmers on priority while providing godown space for accommodating another 25 lakh metric tonnes of grains. Efforts were on to secure more godown space as the production was going up.
The government has also decided to provide minimum support price of Rs 1200 to the farmers and also ensure that the soaked paddy is also procured and lifted into the godowns. Standing crops spread over thousands of acres were damaged due to the recent floods across the State. In view of this, additional godown space would be created at the community halls and government schools for storage of grains by next month. The Chief Minister instructed the authorities concerned to begin the procurement process by October 2nd.
Briefing the media after the review meeting, Civil Supplies Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu said that as long term measures, the State Warehousing Corporation has agreed to construct godowns to store 7 lakh MTs, IKP groups will take up godown construction for 8 Lakh MTs with NABARD loans, FCI with PPP link-up godowns for more than 10 Lakh MTs. During the meeting the officials praised the efforts of the Chief Minister in getting the Central Government’s permission for export of 30 Lakh MTs of rice including raw and boiled rice which would facilitate more storage space in the State for food grains.
Regarding Aadhar Cards, the Minister said that fool proof measures would be taken to ensure issue of Aadhar Cards throughout the State. The Vigilance Department will also be involved to lug any loop holes in the system.
——Agencies