Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Seeks Early Lifting of 5 Lakh Metric Tonnes of Rice, Urges Centre to Ensure Adequate Railway Rakes

Raipur, July 31, 2026। Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai met Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Pralhad Joshi at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday and requested the early lifting of 5 lakh metric tonnes of rice from Chhattisgarh, along with the provision of adequate railway rakes every month.

The Chief Minister said that timely availability of railway rakes would expedite the transportation of rice, create sufficient storage space in warehouses for the new crop, and ensure the smooth procurement of paddy from farmers.

Shri Sai informed the Union Minister that Chhattisgarh has been assigned a target of supplying 73 lakh tonnes of rice to the Central Pool during the Kharif Marketing Season 2025–26. To ensure timely lifting of rice, he requested the allocation of at least 250 railway rakes every month for the state.

Responding positively to the request, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi assured the Chief Minister of the Centre’s necessary support. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Singh was also present during the meeting.