The Lok Sabha is now discussing the issue of procurement of paddy by the Food Corporation of India, FCI, in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Earlier, the House was adjourned till 2 PM over this issue. Raising the matter during the Zero Hour, Jagadambika Pal of the Congress, had alleged that paddy is not being adequately procured in
Uttar Pradesh. Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party blamed the FCI for its failure to procure the grain. Lalu Prasad of the RJD and Shahnawaz Hussein of the BJP also made similar demands in respect of Bihar. Responding to the demands, Finance Minister P Chidambaram assured the House that the government will convene a meeting of the
FCI and State government officials to resolve the issue. When the House reassembled, Mulayam Singh Yadav alleged that FCI officials had rejected 90 thousand metric tonne of paddy worth 168 crore rupees. He asked the government to relax the norms of quality for paddy procurement.

Shahnawaz Hussein said the Centre is not discharging its responsibility towards the farmers. The SP and RJD members came in the well. Amidst noisy scenes, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram started reading a statement on the issue but he was shouted down. This lead the Deputy Speaker to adjourn the House till 2.30 PM.