Punjab Government to purchase wheat from April 1

Moga, Mar 17 (UNI) Punjab Food and Supplies Minister Avtar Henry today said that the Government will start procuring wheat from April one.

Mr Henry told UNI that State Government has assured the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to provide 92 lakh MT of wheat in the Central pool despite the fact that area under wheat this year was reduced by 50,000 hectares and expected production of 146.25 lakh MT.

The Minister said that Government has approached Reserve Bank of India for sanctioning of a limit of Rs 550 crore for the purchase of wheat and the sanction is expected in the third or fourth week of this month.

Mr Henry also stated that the State Government has taken up with Mr Pawar the issue of hiking Rs 100 per quintal in the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat for the current Rabi season in view of increased production cost.

UNI DP VD ND1712