Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary urges Modi govt to raise rice procurement target to 50 lakh tonnes

In a recent letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar's Agriculture Minister Ashok Chaudhary highlighted a perceived shortfall in the state's rice procurement quota. He pointed out that the existing target of 35 lakh metric tonnes, set under the National Food Security Act and related government schemes, does not meet Bihar's consumption and distribution needs. Chaudhary argued that the shortfall could affect the state's ability to supply rice to eligible households under the public distribution system. Consequently, he urged the central government to raise the procurement ceiling to 50 lakh metric tonnes, a figure he says aligns with the state's actual demand. The minister's request underscores ongoing discussions about food security and procurement policies in India's most populous states.