Bhubaneswar: In a letter to Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, Odisha Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak sought the former’s intervention for the release of pending food subsidy from the Centre.
“Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) Ltd., the nodal agency of the State procures paddy at Minimum Support Price (MSP) from the farmers and undertakes distribution of food grains under NFSA and other Welfare Schemes,” Nayak stated.
As per MoU there has to be zero financial liability on the procuring agencies with regard to permissible items of cost to be borne by Government of India. The anticipated cost is required to be released in the form of advance subsidy at the rate of 90% of admissible claim on quantity basis in the first month of every quarter,
Further, the State Government/ OSCSC shall be paid quarterly provisional subsidy after deduction of advance amount. But, the release of advance and provisional subsidy to Odisha is highly irregular.
“Huge amount of outstanding food subsidy remains receivable from the Govt. of India totalling to Rs. 14,249.07 Crore as per the statement enclosed. It includes Rs 5,027.36 Crore of Provisional Subsidy claim upto 3rd Quarter and Rs. 1469.78 Crore of unpaid Advance Subsidy claim bill for 4th Quarter of this Financial Year 2022-23,” he added.
“It is also to mention that as per Standing Operating Procedure(SOP) dated 16.07.2021 issued by DFPD, GoI in respect of BRL rice stock, there is provisions for replacement of stock by rice miller followed by certification by the Joint team which is to be completed within six weeks,” Nayak’s letter read.
The certificate of replacement is a mandatory document for release of subsidy to the State. But abnormal delay is being done for inspection by DFPD officials which causes hindrance for receipt of subsidy in respect of BRL rice stock. It requires your intervention for timely inspection by DFPD officials in the matter of BRL rice stocks and streamline the process.
The delay and short release of subsidy has put OSCSC Ltd. in tremendous financial hardship on two accounts, firstly due to non-recoupment of interest and liquidity crunch to manage the procurement operations, Nayak stated.
