Dharmendra urges Paswan to relax paddy FAQ norms for Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today urged Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution minister Ram Vilas Paswan to relax the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms for paddy in Odisha to prevent distress sale.

Stating that the quantity and quality of paddy have been badly affected by the unexpected non-seasonal rain last year, Pradhan said a team of quality control officers of Food Corporation of India (FCI) has found that the affected paddy do not meet the FAQ standards.

“It is understood from various interactions that unless the Government of India relaxes the FAQ norms for paddy crop in Odisha the farmers would be forced to make distress sell of paddy,” Pradhan stated in his letter.

Commenting on Pradhan's letter, Odisha Food Supplies Minister Surya Narayan Patro said it is unfortunate that the union minister realized the problem when nearly 50 to 60 percent paddy have already been sold.