CM Mohan Majhi Urges Centre to Raise Odisha’s Rice Procurement Quota for Kharif Season

August 7, 2025 MTIMES 46 Views CM Mohan Majhi, FCI Rice Lifting, Kharif Season Procurement, Mahanadi water dispute, Odisha Agriculture, Odisha BJP, Odisha Cabinet Expansion, Odisha Politics, Odisha Rice Procurement Quota, Pralhad Joshi, Rourkela Steel Plant, Vision Odisha 2047 2 min read

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has urged the Centre to increase the Odisha rice procurement quota for the upcoming Kharif marketing season. On a two-day visit to New Delhi, CM Majhi met Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi and made a formal request in this regard.

Accompanied by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, and several MPs, Majhi highlighted that Odisha anticipates a surplus in paddy production. He requested enhanced procurement targets and also called for a rise in the monthly lifting of rice by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to free up storage for custom milled rice. The Chief Minister emphasized the state’s initiatives in millet promotion and warehouse infrastructure to strengthen food security and protect farmers’ welfare.

Centre Urged to Support Odisha Rice Procurement Quota

Beyond the Odisha rice procurement quota, Majhi raised several critical state issues in meetings with four Union ministers. In his discussion with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Majhi addressed the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute and advocated for a fair resolution. He shared that Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai had responded positively to his outreach, prompting the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal to postpone its hearing from August 2 to September 6.

The Odisha CM also handed over the “Vision Odisha 2036 | 2047” document, outlining the state’s long-term development goals.

Later, Majhi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him on Odisha’s recent developmental progress, political climate, law and order status, and governance coordination. He also discussed the growth and investment opportunities in Odisha’s steel sector with Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, particularly regarding the expansion of Rourkela Steel Plant.

As of the latest update, Majhi was attending a strategy meeting with all Odisha MPs, BJP state president Manmohan Samal, and Odisha in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar — a gathering seen as significant ahead of a possible cabinet reshuffle and key political appointments.

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