The Karnataka government, to support its ambitious Re 1-a-kg rice scheme for the poor, will tighten mill gate levy system where mills give a certain quantity of rice to the government as per the rate fixed by the latter.
The rates, however, are lower than market price.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters here that apart from buying rice from open market, the government was working on tightening the system.
Currently, the government collects levy rice from millers but last year it was able to procure just 50,000 tonnes.
However, this year, the government by controlling the system, aims to collect at least five lakh tonnes. The government also plans to buy paddy from farmers by announcing minimum support price.
Of the total 2.80 lakh tonnes of rice required per month for the scheme, the Centre will provide 1.77 lakh tonnes, while the State has to mobilise the remaining supply on its own.
Earlier, the chief minister met Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and requested him to announce a package for arecanut growers in the State including waiver of crop loan.
As arecanut farmers are suffering due to yellow disease and price crash, the Centre should come to their rescue, the memorandum states.
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