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New Delhi : Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) , Government of India, Sudhanshu Pandey, along with Chairman & Managing Director, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Sanjiv Kumar, called on the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath on January 29, 2021, and apprised him of the various steps taken by the Government like revival of sick sugar mills and fortification of rice among others. He also held discussions with CM on important issues involving procurement and storage of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh.
CM Yogi Adityanath appreciated the efforts made by FCI and the State Government officials which led to record procurement of Paddy during Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21 and procurement of Wheat during Covid-19. In order to ensure better procurement from farmers, a request was made to increase the storage capacities in Uttar Pradesh. The CM directed his officials to arrange space from the State Government mandis and other infrastructure for setting up of about 50 Lakh Metric Tonnes of model storage facilities as soon as possible, according to a PIB release.
Secretary, DFPD, also visited Food Corporation of India, Regional Office, Lucknow,where he held discussions with the officers of the UP State Government, FCI, Procurement agencies, Central Warehousing Corporation, and UP. State Warehousing Corporation on various issues related to procurement and distribution of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh. The meeting was attended by Sanjiv Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, FCI, Veena Kumari, Principal secretary (Food & Civil Supplies), Govt. of UP, among others.
Secretary, DFPD, appreciated the efforts of the UP Government, and FCI, UP, for effective handling of the huge operations in the state ensuring seamless distribution of foodgrains to the entitled beneficiaries during COVID-19. Pandey reviewed the procurement of Paddy and Rice during the ongoing KMS 2020-21. He appreciated the record procurement of over 63 Lakh Metric Tonnes Paddy from over 12 lakh farmers in the state and also lauded the efforts of the State Government and FCI in digitisation of the rice procurement and billing system which has led to immense savings and faster cash flow for all the procurement agencies.
Pandey also discussed the modalities for supply of fortified rice under NFSA, ICDS , and MDM schemes stressing on its nutritional benefits especially for the women and children. He also emphasised on the increase in production of pulses and Oilseeds in Uttar Pradesh which would help in diversification of crops and increase the farmers’ income. He also stressed on increasing the production of Maize in the country. He informed that an increased production and procurementof Maize would go a long way in meeting the requirement of ethanol in the country which would aid energy conservation
Pandey requested the State Government to provide space in the Mandis so hat a scheme can be brought out for creation of modern SILOs for storage of grains. He also reviewed the implementation of One Nation One Ration Card Scheme in UP.