The Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, Shri Sudhanshu Pandey along with Chairman & Managing Director,Food Corporation Shri Sanjiv Kumar called upon the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath on 29^th January 2021. Shri Pandey apprised the Chief Minister about 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.

The Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh appreciated the efforts made by FCI and the State Government officials which led to record procurement of Paddy during 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.

Secretary, DFPD also visited Food Corporation of India, Regional Office, Lucknow where he held discussions with the officers of the State Govt. of U.P., FCI, Procurement agencies, Central Warehousing Corporation and U.P. State Warehousing Corporation on various issues related to procurement and distribution of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh. The meeting was attended by Shri Sanjiv Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, FCI, Smt. Veena Kumari, Principal secretary (Food & Civil Supplies), Govt. of U.P. among others.

Secretary, DFPD appreciated the efforts of the State Government of U.P. and FCI, U.P. for effective handling of the huge operations in the state thereby ensuring seamless distribution of foodgrains to the entitled beneficiaries during COVID-19.Secretary, DFPD reviewed the procurement of Paddy and Rice during the ongoingKharif Marketing Season 2020-21. He appreciated the record procurement of over63 Lakh Metric Tonnes Paddy from over 12 lakh farmers in the state and also laudedthe efforts of the State Government and FCI in digitization of the rice procurement andbilling system which has led to immense savings and faster cash flow for all theprocurement agencies.

He also stressed upon the greater use of technology in theentire supply chain right from procurement from the farmers to its distribution tothe end beneficiaries under PDS.Shri Pandey also discussed the modalities for supply of fortified rice under NFSA,ICDS and MDM schemes stressing upon its nutritional benefits especially for thewomen and children. It was apprised that procurement of fortified rice in districtChandauli had been started and the same was also getting distributed through theration shops.He also stressed upon the modernization of old rice mills in the state. This wouldimprove the quality of rice even further and would also increase the income of therice millers through productions of rice bran oil.

Secretary DFPD also emphasized upon the increase in production of pulses andoilseeds in Uttar Pradesh which would help in diversification of crops and increasethe farmer’s income. He also raised the need for increasing the production ofMaize in the country. He informed that an increased production and procurementof Maize would go a long way in meeting the requirement of ethanol in thecountry which would aid energy conservation. He requested the officers of theState Government to encourage the farmers of the state towards increasing thecultivation of Maize in Uttar Pradesh.

He further requested the State Government to provide space in the Mandis sothat a scheme can be brought out for creation of modern SILOs for storage ofgrains.Secretary DFPD also reviewed the implementation of One Nation One Ration CardScheme in U.P. under which the distribution of highly subsidized food grains isenabled through nation-wide portability of ration cards through theimplementation of IT-driven systems by installation of ePoS devices at Fair PriceShops. He also expressed his happiness over the progress made by the State Government over the Aadhar feeding of the entitled beneficiaries under NFSA.

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APS/MS