Patna, April 20 (PTI): A shortfall in paddy procurement has snowballed into a political controversy with the government today blaming the Centre for giving “inadequate time” for collecting 30 lakh tonnes of grain.

“We could procure only 19.5 lakh tonnes of paddy against a target of 30 lakh tonnes from the farmers during the current kharif season because of inadequate time given by the Centre for the purpose,” food and consumer protection minister Shyam Rajak said in the Assembly during a special debate on paddy procurement. 

The Centre usually gives four months to the states for paddy procurement, but this year, Bihar was given time till January 31 to procure 30 lakh tonnes, a target which could not be met because of high moisture, he said.