New Delhi, October 29
Amid reports that paddy procurement this year so far has crossed last year’s mark by 1.68 lakh tonnes, the government today announced a bonus of Rs 50 per quintal to farmers on paddy over and above the minimum price announced for the kharif marketing season (October-September).
The bonus, meant to further boost procurement for the PDS, will be provided over and above the MSP of Rs 950 per quintal for the common variety of paddy and Rs 980 per cent quintal for superior variety during the kharif season.
Farmers will now be able to draw Rs 1,000 per quintal for the common variety of paddy and Rs 1,030 per quintal for superior variety. The incentive has been given to speed up paddy procurement as there were fears of fall in production following drought and later floods and protests by farmers’ groups. The Centre aims to procure 294 lakh tonnes of rice this year.
Home Minister P Chidambaram, after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, said the additional Rs 50 per quintal would cost the government Rs 1,884.79 crore if the procurement touches 250 lakh tonnes this season.
