Odisha government today rejected the central government’s relaxation of quality norms for procurement of paddy under the Minimum Support Price…
Odisha government today rejected the central government’s relaxation of quality norms for procurement of paddy under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as it was linked to reduction of the procurement price. State Food Minister Suryanarayan Patro said even though the central government has relaxed the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) specifications for the purpose of paddy procurement in 15 districts of Odisha, but has ironically reduced the MSP from 1550 to Rs 1410 per quintal.
The cut in rates is bound to impact the farmers, he said which will affect the farmers. Hence we have decided not to accept the offer of the centre, said Patra. The Minister pointed out that under the UPA regime, the FAQ had been relaxed in 2010 without any reduction in MSP. Why cant the NDA do the same, he asked. The Centre relaxed the FAQ norms in the districts where the quality of paddy had deteriorated due to unseasonal rain during last kharif. Patra told media persons today that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will seek the intervention of PM Narendra Modi in this regard.
As per existing norms, the government can purchase paddy, which was damaged, discoloured, sprouted or weevilled by up to 5 per cent of the total quantity. Paddy damaged over 5 per cent is rejected. Paddy grown over five lakh hectares had been damaged due to unseasonal rains in Odisha. Odisha government had repeatedly written to the centre to relax the FAQ norms. It had also urged for a upward revision of the MSP.
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Last week Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had informed Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan that the FAQ norm was being relaxed for 15 districts in Odisha. Pradhan had released the letter and the state BJP had claimed credit over benefiting the farmers of the state. At that point in time state food minister Patra had said he was yet to receive any official communication from the central government. Today Patra said the relaxation of FAQ was meaningless as the MSP has been lowered.
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