Haryana expected to produce 45 lakh tonnes paddy

Chandigarh, Sep 17 (UNI) The production of paddy in Haryana in this kharif season is expected to be about 45.37 lakh tonnes, of which 41 lakh tonnes is expected to reach the 172 grain markets across the state.

The state government has arranged a sum of Rs 1,000 crore for the purchase of paddy from the farmers, Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan, who also holds the food portfolio said here today.

He said that the procurement season of bajra and paddy would start from October 1. He said that during the season, the production of paddy was expected 45.37 lakh tonnes and out of this 41 lakh tonnes was expected to reach in the various mandis of the state.

He said that 31 lakh tonnes of paddy would be leviable while 10 lakh tonnes would be basmati. He said that about 22 lakh tonnes of paddy was expected to be purchased by the six procurement agencies and the rest by the traders.

He revealed that the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy during this season had been fixed at Rs 580 per quintal, while for Grade 'A' it was Rs 610 per quintal besides a bonus of Rs 40 per quintal. He said the officers of Food and Supplies Department had been directed to ensure that farmers did not face any difficulty in selling their produce and the payment of their produce would be made to them within 48 to 72 hours.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government had made all arrangements for smooth procurement of paddy and bajra. He said that the production of bajra was expected to 9.75 lakh tonnes during the season, of which two lakh tonnes was expected to arrive in the mandis. The bajra would be purchased at the MSP of Rs 540 per quintal.

He said that arrangements had been made for procurement of 1.50 lakh metric tonnes of bajra. He directed that the procurement of paddy and bajra would be made as per specifications prescribed by the government.

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