Bihar minister says govt sincere on paddy procurement

Bihar Food and Consumer Protection minister Shyam Rajak today said the state government is "more sincere" than BJP on paddy procurement and condition of rice millers.
"As per central government notification, Bihar has extended the procurement period till December 31, 2014 to obtain Custom Milled Rice (CMR) from the millers for the year 2012-14. We will take strong action against millers who are unable to provide CMR," Rajak said.
The minister said the problems with rice millers would be solved soon, but BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi should not give wrong statements on the issue.
"Modi should give suggestion on how to deal with millers who have paddy or rice worth Rs 1,961 crore pending with them. They have not returned it and we need to extract it from them," Rajak added.

The minister said according to central government standards, paddy is purchased only when the moisture content in it is less than 17 per cent. At several places, paddy is not reaching at the procurement centres due to this reason, impeding the procurement process.
Rajak also said procurement centres have been opened at all designated places and officials have been deputed for the purpose.