Civil Supplies and Finance Minister Etala Rajender today said the State government was ready to export rice to Tamil Nadu State.
Speaking to media persons at Secretariat here after holding a meeting with Rice Millers Association the minister vowed to protect the interests of the consumers and farmers. Stating that it is good development that the Tamil Nadu sought rice Rajender maintained that the government will soon take steps in this regard. About 3 lakh metric tons of rice is required to be exported Tamil Nadu state from Telangana, the Civil Supplies Minister said.
“We have instructed the department concerned to take immediate steps to export fine quality rice sought by the Tamil Nadu Government. This export will get some revenue to the state he said adding that the farmers sell their produce at high price. We have discussed with the Rice Millers Association on the need for offering better price to the farmer selling the produce”, he said.
The rice millers association has agreed to offer Rs e0 more on quintal rice than the existing price at the market. While fine quality rice per quintal is put at Rs 1590 and second quality rice is Rs 1550. However the rice miller association was convinced to pay Rs 30 more he said. Keeping this in view the farmer ready with their produce should get more benefit and avoid selling the produce at low price, the minister said. Millers have promised to supply the rice under CMR category to the government in two months.
Stating that stringent action will be taken against millers and middlemen for looting he said that the government is to protect the interests of the farmers. At the same time we will protect millers as well as food cleansing industries which hold key he said. To protect the interests of the farmers more number or purchase centers will be opened up”, Rajender said. (NSS)