Date:17/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/17/stories/2006061704541000.htm

Tamil Nadu

`Entire quantity of paddy will be procured'

Staff Reporter

KANCHEEPURAM: The Civil Supplies Corporation, the agency for the Food Corporation of India, will procure the entire quantity of paddy produced by farmers under the `one kilogram of rice for Rs.2' scheme, Food Minister E.V. Velu said on Friday.

Talking to reporters here, he said the State government considered the farming community the backbone of the society. Responding to a question on paddy hulling, the Minister said the Civil Supplies Department engineers had been asked to prepare cost estimates for reviving defunct modern rice mills in the State. The system of engaging private rice mills for hulling would continue , he added.

Stating that off take of rice through the public distribution system had increased considerably this fortnight following the launch of the scheme, the Minister said the government had enough quantity to meet the demand.

Mr.Velu said he had sought official and staff support to ensure effective implementation of the scheme at a district-level officers meeting to review the functioning of the Public Distribution System. Surprise checks were also being conducted to detect irregularities in PDS shops, he added.