FCI chairman meets Badal on paddy procurement

Chandigarh, Oct 10 (UNI) Food Corporation of India (FCI) Chairman Alok Sinha today called on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here this evening and apprised him about the smooth procurement operations of paddy by FCI in the state.

Mr Sinha informed the Chief Minister that the procurement of paddy by the FCI would now gradually pick up with the announcement of bonus of Rs 50 per quintal. He assured the Chief Minister that the FCI would efficiently undertake the procurement of its allotted share within the coming days.

He admitted that the little delay in the procurement was primarily due to the delayed announcement of bonus which made the farmers skeptical and they were not coming forward to sell their paddy. Mr Sinha also hoped of bumper procurement of wheat from Punjab during the Rabi-2008 due to the hike of Rs 250 per quintal in MSP.

Mr Badal thanked the Chairman of FCI for his positive response and assured complete support by the state Government.

Earlier, Mr Sinha had a detailed meeting with the Food and Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon and senior functionaries of the state government.

UNI