Rajasthan CM meets Union Agriculture Minister

New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today urged Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to immediately release Rs 137.50 crore against the purchase of 14.18 lakh metric tonnes (MTs) of mustard during the current year in the State.

She also requested for early payment of the remaining amount of Rs 211.50 crore from National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) against the payment of wheat on the famine relief works in the State.

Mr Pawar has agreed to make remaining payment of the 14 MTs mustard on Chief Minister's request.

Ms Raje had met Mr Pawar yesterday and had long deliberations on both the issues.

The Chief Minister informed that as a result of the bumper crop of mustard this year also in Rajasthan, the State Government made a purchase of 14.18 lakh MTs mustard through its agency RAJFED but the agency of the Union Government NAFED gave a sanction of making payment of only 13.45 lakh MTs mustard, while the Agriculture Minister has agreed on the purchase of 14 lakh MTs mustard this year also as last year.

Ms Raje also stated that the labourers in Rajasthan were not ready to work on relief works as they were not willing to take maize of bajra in place of wheat in lieu of the payment of wages in famine relief works, while the Union Government was not able to allot wheat according to the requirements of the State in view of the shortage of wheat.

The Chief Minister demanded that cash payment should be made in place of foodgrains for the solution of the problem, at which Mr Pawar directed the officers of his Ministry to undertake an extensive study for proper action in this regard.

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