Chandigarh, Oct. 18 -- A 14-member team from the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution has drawn at least 100 samples from the freshly harvested paddy crop in 19 districts of the state to assess its quality. The results will be crucial in determining whether the Centre will approve a relaxation in the permissible limit of discoloured grain. Under normal circumstances, the discoloured grain content in paddy is not allowed to exceed 5%.

This move follows a spell of heavy rainfall between October 6 and 8, which caused significant damage to the crop, particularly in the border districts of Punjab. The paddy, which was fully mature and ready for harvest, suffered extensive losses due to the wet conditions.

In light of the damage, the stat...