State to procure 30 lakh MT rice this kharif marketing season

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday approved a proposal for procurement of 30 lakh metric tonne (MT) rice under Food and Procurement Policy for the kharif marketing season (KMS) 2013-14.

At least 25 lakh MT rice will be procured by government agencies including Food Corporation of India (FCI) and balance 5 lakh MT will be procured through levy, said an official release issue by the state government.

The government agencies will procure common variety of paddy at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1310 per quintal and Grade-A variety for Rs 1345.

The state government also decided to replace existing levy control order of 1982 and reduce the levy purchase of rice from millers from 75% to 10% with effect from October 1, 2013, said the release. However, the government may increase or decrease the rate of percentage levy from time to time by notification. But in no case, the levy procurement will exceed 25%, it added.

The cabinet also approved revision of surface rent for mining leases of major minerals on the basis of recommendation of an expert committee constituted by State Finance department. With this revision the state government will be able to get an annual revenue of Rs 11 crore, the release added.

The cabinet considered a proposal for amendment of Odisha Transport-Traffic and Enforcement (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules 2013 and declared Odisha Staff Selection Commission is the recruiting authority for the post of Traffic Constable. Till now, Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission has been hiring for the post of Traffic Constable.

The apex decision making body of the government approved a proposal to convert VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla into a unitary state university by way of enactment of in the State Legislature.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to notify Odisha State Urban Water Supply Policy-2013 to provide potable piped water supply on 24/7 basis at an affordable price in 106 urban local bodies including 3 municipal corporations.

The state government also gave its nod to a new scheme - State Highways Development Programme (SHDP) - for improvement of all State Highways to two-lane standard by the end of 12th Five Year Plan.

Out of total length of 4860.21 km of state highways, 2701.95 km has been improved/ proposed to be improved under different schemes. It is targeted to complete the balance length of 2158.26km up to two-lane standard including widening of existing cross drainage structures and bridges with an outlay of Rs 3000 crore, the release added.

In today's meeting the state cabinet discussed total 20 proposals.