Bhubaneswar, Sept. 24 -- The Odisha government will auction its surplus rice if the Food Corporation of India (FCI) fails to lift the excess stock, State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra informed the Assembly today.
Replying to a question from BJD legislator Pratap Keshari Deo, the Minister stated that the state had procured 92 lakh metric tons of paddy, yielding around 63 lakh metric tons of rice after milling.
Out of this, 50 lakh metric tons were distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the FCI, leaving a surplus of 13 lakh metric tons.
The Minister said the state has urged the Centre to direct FCI to lift the surplus stock and expressed hope for a positive response.
However, he cl...