Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi held a virtual meeting here today with the Food Ministers of 5 States namely Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan and Minister for Cooperative, Govt of Bihar to review the preparedness for wheat procurement in ensuing RMS 2025-26.
During the meeting, the Union Minister, emphasized that the above five states have good potential for wheat procurement and can contribute substantially to the central pool which is vital for food security of the nation and also for supply-based interventions to control prices, as and when needed.
It was highlighted that there is need to carry out time bound actions like fixing district-wise targets based on the potential; deeper outreach by opening procurement centers in remote areas; compliance with various Central/ State norms before inter-state movement of stocks; timely payment of MSP to the farmers; maintaining quality of stocks procured; facilitating and easing the registration process for farmers; ensuring availability of trained workforce at mandis; proactive approach by PACS in states such as Bihar; engaging Panchayats/FPOs/Societies for procurement.
Food Ministers of States were requested to devote personal attention to the preparations as well as subsequent procurement operations. It was also requested that the States may make efforts to procure at least as much wheat as is required by the State under PMGKAY so that Central pool is well stocked and also cost incurred in transportation from other states is avoided.
Food Ministers of the States assured that all suggestions deliberated in the meeting will be followed so as to achieve the common goal of enhancing the procurement of wheat during RMS 2025-26. The meeting was also attended by Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Food Secretaries of the states and CMD FCI.