LUCKNOW, Jan. 31 -- Unlike wheat where Uttar Pradesh has struggled to meet procurement targets in recent years, the state has continued its robust performance in paddy procurement, nearly achieving the target for the current marketing season prompting the government to request the Centre to raise the target to 66 lakh metric tonnes.

While the paddy procurement has ended in western UP, it will continue in eastern UP till February end. "Considering the fact, we have already purchased around 58 LMT of paddy against the target of 60 LMT even as the procurement in eastern UP will continue for a month, we have requested the Centre to raise the target by additional 6 LMT," principal secretary, food and civil supplies, UP, Ranvir Prasad said.

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