The State Government agency, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, estimates to procure about 26 lakh tonnes of paddy during the 2011-12 procurement season, according to an official press release.

The TNCSC, which handles paddy procurement for the public distribution system (PDS), has procured over 11.09 lakh tonnes of paddy during the ongoing season which extends up to September 31, 2012 (October-September).

Procurement, so far, includes 5.24 lakh tonnes of paddy procured (between October 1 and December 15, 2011) following the ‘kuruvai' season, a short-term summer crop in the Cauvery delta areas, which is in itself a record, says the press release.

The release follows a review of the paddy procurement and PDS by the Tamil Nadu Minister for Food, Mr R. Kamaraj, said Rs 67.84 crore has been distributed as incentive price to the farmers. This is based on the State Government's decision to pay an incentive price of Rs 70 a quintal for fine variety (over the minimum support price of Rs 1,110) and Rs 50 a quintal for common varieties (MSP Rs 1,080 a quintal).

Over 1,451 paddy procurement centres have been opened and measures have been taken to ensure immediate procurement of paddy and payment.

As of December 31, 2011, 1.97 crore family cards for PDS are in use and they are being renewed for the current year up to February 28, 2012.

Storage infrastructure

The Tamil Nadu Warehousing Corporation's storage infrastructure is also being expanded. It now has a storage capacity of 6.42 lakh tonnes and the State Government has passed orders to construct nine godowns of 45,000 tonnes each at Madurantakam, Chinnasalem, Kovilpatti, Karaikudi and Aruppukottai, the release said.

>rbalaji@thehindu.co.in

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