Rabi crops procurement to start from April 1 in Haryana

Chandigarh, Mar 30 (UNI) The Haryana Government has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth procurement of Rabi crops from April 1 of which 45 lakh metric tonnes is expected to be procured of the minimum support price.

Stating this here today, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan said this year wheat had been sown in an area of 24 lakh hectares of land and production was expected at about 105 lakh metric tonnes, out of which about 45 lakh metric tonnes was expected to be procured by the six agencies at the minimum support price (MSP).

He said wheat would be procured by six procuring agencies namely Food and Supplies 28 per cent, Hafed 35 per cent, Food Corporation of India 10 per cent, Haryana Warehousing Corporation, Haryana Agro Industries and Confed 9 per cent each at MSP of Rs 1,000 per quintal as announced by the Central Government.

The MSP of other rabi crops announced by the Centre like barley is Rs 650 per quintal, gram Rs 1,600 per quintal and mustard Rs 1,800 per quintal.

He said this year 362 mandis would be operative as against 360 mandis during the previous year. All the heads of the procuring agencies had been directed to ensure that all mandis were equipped with basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, pucca platform, sheds and parking place, he added.

Mr Mohan said in order to ensure prompt payment to the farmers within 48 to 72 hours, the Food and Supplies Department will set up a round the clock control room at the State headquarters as well as the district headquarters well before the commencement of the season.

He said farmers had been advised to bring their foodgrains to the market after proper cleaning and as per norms fixed by the Centre.

He said that the stocks of foodgrains containing moisture in excess of 12 to 14 per cent would be rejected.

The Deputy Chief Minister said in case the procuring agency rejects the procurement of foodgrain, it would be personally verified by the incharge of the mandi and checked whether the stock was actually not in accordance with the prescribed specifications.

UNI PS PBB DB1849