The Maharashtra government has constituted a joint committee of five members including the District Magistrate of Bhandara and Gondia revenue districts and the Divisional Manager of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) on the paddy procurement issue, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

"The Department of Food and Public Distribution of the government of India vide letter No 3(9) 12021-Py.1 dated July 30, 2021 directed the Government of Maharashtra to immediately constitute a joint team with FCI. Accordingly, the Government of Maharashtra on August 2, 21 constituted a Joint Committee of five members including the District Magistrate of the revenue district (Bhandara and Gondia) concerned and the Divisional Manager of FCI," Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal said in a statement laid on the table of the House.