Min assures to push Centre to raise paddy moisture level to 21 pc

TIRUCHY: Heeding to the demands of farmers to increase the moisture condition level for procurement of paddy from 17 per cent to 21 per cent, the state government would send a representation to Centre as the issue comes under its ambit, said Food Minister R Sakkarapani on Thursday.

The Minister said that the Delta region has been receiving widespread rains and so to avoid damage due to the rain, DPCs have been asked to function even on Sundays. “At the same time, the increase in the moisture condition should be decided by the Union government and the farmers have been demanding to increase the moisture condition to 21 per cent. The state government would send a representation recommending the increase,” the Minister assured.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the construction of semi godowns of TNCSC, Sakkarapani said that in the wake of complaints from famers that harvested paddy stocked for procurement had been damaged due to rains, Chief Minister MK Stalin allocated a fund of Rs 231 crore to establish semi godowns at 20 places with a total capacity of 3 lakh MT. As part of the plan, a 50,000 MT capacity semi godown is being constructed at Pillayarpatti in Thanjavur district. “The construction of all these semi godowns will be completed by October 31,” said the Minister.

Meanwhile, the Food Minister said that the government has decided to construct semi godowns and works were underway. All the 139 open godowns would be converted into semi-godowns to avoid damage due to the rains. The government is also particular about sending the procured paddy to hulling to the private mills.