New Delhi, Oct 29 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved a bonus of Rs. 50 per quintal over and above the minimum support price to paddy farmers.

The food ministry had earlier proposed a bonus of Rs. 50 a quintal to step up rice procurement in the current season.

The government Aug 20 had revised the support price to Rs. 950 a quintal for average quality and Rs. 980 a quintal for higher grade for 2009-10.

The government has set a target of procuring 294 lakh tonnes of paddy this season. (IANS)