Punjab has created a new record in the delivery of Rice to the central pool by contributing a major part of its produce to the Central Pool.This was disclosed here today by Food Minister Mr. Adaish Pratap Singh Kairon while addressing an especially convened meeting of the officers of Food and Supplies department to review the progress of delivery of rice of KMS 2015-16 to the central pool.State Procurement Agencies procure paddy from the farmers at MSP and deliver it to the rice millers of the state for the purpose of custom milling. The custom milled rice is delivered to FCI for central pool was reviewed by Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister during the meeting.
According to Mr. Kairon the State Government has created a new record in delivery of rice to the central pool up to 31st January as compared to previous years. Giving further details, he said that in 2012-13, 23.7% rice was delivered where as a little more 28.6% was delivered in 2013-14. Adding further he said that in 2014-15 about 45.2% was delivered and now in 2015-16 about 53.8% has been recorded as the state share in the central pool.Attributing this success to various reasons, Mr. Kairon said that above all number of measures taken by the department in the last few years to bring transparency and efficiency in the procurement and milling of paddy procured for the central pool was the most important aspect noted in this achievement.
He stated that department has created of more than 50 LMT covered storage capacity during last 2-3 years. He also said that IT solutions have helped to cut procedural delays in realisation of claims from FCI against bills of rice deliveries which has helped the State Agencies to save crores of rupees in the form of interest which is charged by banks on CCL availed to make payment to the farmers, Labourers, Transporters and commission agents at the time of procurement of paddy.
He appreciated the cooperation extended by Employees, Rice Millers and Commission Agents in implementing the IT based applications in the management of food grains at the field level. He hoped that the department will be able to achieve 100% computerisation in all its operations and activities related to procurement, storage and distribution of food grains to the consumers by next year which will further enhance the efficiency and transparency in the functioning of the department.