Centre adopts two-pronged strategy on paddy storage

The Centre today told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that a two-pronged strategy was being adopted to address the shortage of storage for paddy in Punjab. Additional movement of foodgrain from the state had been planned. Besides this, creation of new storage capacity was being undertaken on a priority basis.

As the matter came up for a resumed hearing, the Bench was told that high-level meetings had already been held with the state government. Follow-up actions were being taken up on a priority basis to ensure adequate storage arrangements were in place for the custom milled rice. It was added that a high-level committee headed by a chairman and managing director, Food Corporation of India and department of food and public distribution officials, was monitoring the movement of rice from Punjab on a weekly basis. It was also stated by the Centre that follow up meetings were being held every Thursday.

Taking a note of the submissions, the Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal disposed of the matter after observing that it was required to be resolved amicably as it affected the entire state.