Wheat procurement begins in Punjab

Chandigarh, Apr 4 (UNI) The government has so far procured a mere 980 tonnes of wheat in the last three days, Food and Civil Supplies and consumer affairs Minister Avtar Henry announced here today.

The procurement which commenced on April one is expected to pick-up later this week, the minister said.

He said that all arrangements had been made by the government for smooth procurement of wheat and assured the farmers that every grain of their produce would be purchased by the procuring agencies by ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 650 per quintal.

For this purpose, 1589 purchase centres had been allocated among the state procuring agencies and the FCI.The state agencies are PUNSUP, Markfed, Punjab Warehousing Corporation, Punjab Agro and PUNGRAIN.

Whenever necessary new purchase centres could be opened with the consultation of district administration, Mr Henry announced.

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