Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Odisha Rice-Lifting Delay Threatens Paddy Procurement
Odisha buys paddy from farmers and sends it to mills to make rice.
The state says the Food Corporation of India is not collecting the rice quickly enough.
Because the rice is staying in storage, there may be less room for more paddy.
This could make it harder for the state to buy paddy from farmers soon.
Odisha’s supplies minister has raised the concern.
Opposition parties say the central government is treating Odisha unfairly.
They also say farmers could face more uncertainty.
The article does not include a response from the Centre or the Food Corporation of India.
Odisha’s government says delayed Food Corporation of India rice lifting could disrupt upcoming paddy procurement.
The state supplies minister said unlifted rice stocks are limiting its ability to convert procured paddy into rice.
The Biju Janata Dal claims only about 7–8 lakh metric tonnes of rice had been lifted against a 30 lakh metric tonne target by September.
Opposition leaders accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government of neglecting Odisha and discriminating against the state.
The Centre and the Food Corporation of India’s response to the allegations was not reported in the article.
- Who
- The Odisha government, the Food Corporation of India, the Biju Janata Dal, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and farmers are involved.
- What
- A delay in lifting custom-milled rice from Odisha godowns may disrupt further paddy procurement.
- When
- The concern was raised on Thursday, with the state saying the problem could affect procurement in the coming days.
- Where
- Odisha, including state government godowns and paddy procurement mandis.
- Why
- The state says unlifted rice is occupying storage capacity and preventing procured paddy from being processed and moved onward.
Odisha Government and Opposition Claims
Centre and Food Corporation of India Position
Reason for the delay
Odisha Government and Opposition Claims
The Odisha government and opposition parties say the Food Corporation of India has not met its rice-lifting target, leaving stocks in storage.
Centre and Food Corporation of India Position
No response or explanation from the Centre or the Food Corporation of India was reported in the article.
Treatment of Odisha
Odisha Government and Opposition Claims
The Biju Janata Dal and Communist Party of India (Marxist) accuse the central government of neglecting or discriminating against Odisha.
Centre and Food Corporation of India Position
The article does not provide the Centre’s response to the allegations.
Effect on farmers
Odisha Government and Opposition Claims
Odisha leaders warn that continued delays could disrupt paddy procurement and increase farmers’ uncertainty.
Centre and Food Corporation of India Position
No alternative assessment from the Centre or the Food Corporation of India was included.
- Rice-lifting target
- The Biju Janata Dal said 30 lakh metric tonnes were supposed to be lifted from Odisha by September.
- Rice reportedly lifted
- The Biju Janata Dal said around 7–8 lakh metric tonnes had been lifted.
- Agency involved
- The Food Corporation of India is responsible for lifting the custom-milled rice.
- State official
- Odisha supplies and consumer welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra expressed concern about the delay.
- Potential impact
- Further paddy procurement from farmers could be affected if rice stocks remain unlifted.
- Reported meetings
- The Biju Janata Dal said Krushna Chandra Patra had visited Delhi seven times and met Union minister Pralhad Joshi over the issue.