MADURAI: The Union government’s delayed order on the distribution of fortified rice had affected the paddy procurement in the Delta region, and hence, there was stagnation of rice stocks in the DPCs, said the State Minister for Food R Sakkarapani on Wednesday.

Inspecting the DPCs in Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai, the food minister said, the kuruvai cultivation has increased to 6.18 lakh acre this year against the usual 3.18 lakh acre, and the current procurement of paddy has reached 9 lakh MT so far, and this was 3.67 lakh MT last year by this time. Since there is a bumper harvest this year, triple the quantity of procurement has been done so far.

“As many as 4,000 lorries are being operated to transport the procured paddy to other districts, and 14 lakh gunny bags are available now, and

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