The Centre has given in-principle approval to start rice procurement in Puducherry. Food Corp of India has been asked to help the Puducherry government come up with an efficient plan for procurement of paddy this year. People in Puducherry prefer single-boiled rice, while the Centre provides parboiled rice under the National Food Security Law. Food Corp of India does not procure single-boiled rice, and as such, it would be good to procure the food grain in the state to meet local demand. The Union territory produces around 80,000 tn paddy annually, from which 48,000 tn rice can be produced, against the yearly requirement of 45,000 tn. Rice production in Puducherry is enough to meet its requirement under the food security law.