Talks on with Sri Lanka to export more rice: Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy

Nellore: Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said the authorities were trying to secure order for export of an additional 1 lakh tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka while pointing that the paddy production in SPSR Nellore district during the current harvesting season has been very good. During a review with officials from various departments including agriculture and revenue, he said Sri Lanka had placed order for 1 lakh metric tonnes of rice. Efforts are in progress, however, to secure order for another 1 lakh MTs.

He asked officials to pay Rs 630 in addition to the MSP of Rs 1590 per putti (850 kg) of paddy (NLR 34449 variety; Nellore masoori). He warned the millers against colleting one and half kg of paddy additionally for every bag. He said government will bear any loss that the millers may incur while referring to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's directions on the issue.

Pointing to the 28 lakh puttis of paddy harvested so far, he said 6 lakh puttis had already reached the paddy procurement centres. He found fault with YSRC leaders for blaming him over the irregularities on part of rice millers. He assured the procurement of paddy damaged by rain, he slammed YSRC leaders for politicising the issue. Speaking on the occasion, Joint Collector A. Md. Imtiaz said they have established 168 paddy purchase centres with 94 of them being active. He added that the collection is at a brisk pace at Kottavellanti, Kovur, Atmakur, AS Peta, Mahimalur, Sangam, Duvvur, Dama Nellore and Nayudupeta among other centres.