THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 11, 2026
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday met Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer
Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra and discussed measures to streamline
paddy procurement, strengthen foodgrain management and improve the Public
Distribution System (PDS) in the state.
The meeting focused on improving procurement and storage
infrastructure, ensuring smooth evacuation and delivery of rice, and
strengthening the PDS to better serve farmers and beneficiaries.
Joshi said the two sides discussed ways to make foodgrain
management in Odisha more efficient and reaffirmed their commitment to close
coordination between the Centre and the state.
The Union minister said the Centre and Odisha would work
together to ensure seamless implementation of measures aimed at strengthening
food security and delivering better outcomes for farmers and beneficiaries.
Odisha is among the country's major rice-producing states,
making efficient procurement, storage and transportation of paddy and rice
crucial to farmers as well as the state's food distribution network.
The discussions also underscored the need for smooth movement
of procured rice and stronger systems to ensure foodgrains reach beneficiaries
under the PDS.
The meeting comes amid continued efforts to improve foodgrain management and strengthen food security through coordinated action between the Centre and state governments.
Both ministers reiterated their focus on working together to strengthen the foodgrain management system and ensure that farmers and beneficiaries receive the intended benefits.
