No reduction in foodgrains quota for Kashmir: FCI

Srinagar, Aug 21 (UNI) The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has denied any reduction in the foodgrains quota for the Kashmir Valley.

The Corporation has clarified that the Government had allocated 34427 MT of rice for the Kashmir Valley against which on average about 28,000 MT rice was being lifted by Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), Kashmir, which resulted in a lapse of 6000 MT quota of rice every month.

Based on this, the state government reviewed the position and recommended to the Centre for reduction of monthly allocation of rice by 5000 MT and provide wheat in lieu of rice. Accordingly, allocation of rice and wheat was re-fixed by the Centre.

Allocation of 4,000 MT rice was reduced and allocation of 3000 MT wheat was enhanced for Kashmir Valley by the J and K government.

So far as arranging dispatches to Kashmir Valley is concerned, during the month of July 2008, 4114 trucks of rice, 888 trucks of wheat and 332 trucks of sugar aggregating to 5334 truck loads were dispatched to the Kashmir Valley.

Till August 20, 1181 trucks loaded with rice, wheat and 1278 trucks of sugar have been dispatched to the Kashmir Valley.

FCI has already delivered full quota of rice for the month of August and more than 4000 MT rice has been issued against September as well. About 200 truck-loads of rice, wheat and sugar are daily being dispatched to Kashmir Valley.

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