The Union government is expected to convey to Tamil Nadu government its decision shortly on the issue of relaxation of moisture content for paddy.
“The file [dealing with the issue] has been submitted to [Union] Minister,” said a senior official in the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
When pointed out that the procurement was nearing completion, the official replied that “we are aware of the situation. The file has been sent to the Minister.”
On October 19, the State government requested the Union government to relax the permissible moisture content for paddy from 17% to 22%. Subsequently, teams were deputed to Tamil Nadu to make an on-the-spot assessment.
As on Thursday morning, about 12.96 lakh tonnes of paddy, harvested during the short-term Kuruvai cultivation season, were procured in the State. About ₹3,087 crore was paid to nearly 1.52 lakh farmers, according to the Central Food Grains Portal.
Going by reports in the media, Punjab had also approached the Centre for the relaxation of moisture content and its request too was awaiting the decision of the Union government.