Fci Procurement

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) plans to procure 36.85 lakh tonne of wheat during the rabi season from major wheat-producing states which have been asked to make all out efforts to procure the maximum during the forthcoming season. The states have also been asked by the centre to decentralise wheat procurement for effective functioning of the public distribution system, an official press release said here yesterday. Chairing a meeting of food secretaries from the major-wheat producing states, B K Taimni, secretary, food and civil supplies, stressed the need for planning and co-operation among various procurement agencies to make maximum procurement for the central pool. Responding to the states plea to make available gunny bag which they said was hurting procurement, Taimni said the issue would be taken up with the textile ministry soon to find a solution.