Farmers to Get MSP, Poor to Receive Free Foodgrains

Mahayuti Government approves 328 crore for transportation of paddy and coarse grains

Mumbai: In a major financial decision aimed at ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and timely delivery of foodgrains to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, the Maharashtra Government has approved 328.47 crore for the inter-state and out-of-district transportation of paddy, CMR rice and coarse grains procured during the 2024-25 marketing season.

Under the Centre-sponsored Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement scheme, paddy and coarse grains are procured in Maharashtra through the Maharashtra State Cooperative Marketing Federation in non-tribal areas and the Tribal Development Corporation in tribal areas.

The paddy procured from farmers is sent to rice mills for processing. The resulting Custom Milled Rice (CMR) is then deposited directly in government warehouses for distribution through the public foodgrain system. To ensure the smooth and uninterrupted transportation of paddy and rice throughout this process, the State Cabinet had approved the proposal at its meeting on August 18. The department has now formally issued the sanction.

Of the total 328.47 crore approved for transportation, 80 crore will be reimbursed by the Central Government, while the remaining 248.47 crore will be borne by the State Government from its own treasury.

The release of the funds is expected to help clear outstanding dues of foodgrain transporters across the state. It will also facilitate faster and more efficient transportation of rice and coarse grains to ration shops, particularly in rural and remote areas.

The move is aimed at ensuring that foodgrains procured from farmers reach government warehouses and, subsequently, beneficiaries under the food security programme without disruption, while also strengthening the procurement and distribution mechanism across Maharashtra.