Expedite mustard procurement process: Rajasthan Govt

Jaipur, Jan 31 (UNI) With the bumper production of mustard expected this year, Rajasthan government today asked the Central Government to sanction Rs 3,500 crore, for the procurement of 20 lakh metric tonnes of mustrad at the minimum support price of Rs 1,615 per quintal.

Rajasthan Agricultre minister Prabhulal Saini said the Rabi production of mustard was expected to cross all time high of 40 lakh metric tonnes this year.

He said due to the prevailing warm weather conditions the mustrad has ripened earlier than expected and the mustard seed has already started reaching the market but he alleged complacency on the part of the central procurement agency, Nafed.

He said on its part the state government has set up 243 collection centres waiting for the directives of the the central agency to start the procurement.

Mr Saini said Nafed has not yet cleared about 4.68 lakh metric tonnes of mustrad procured last year lying on godowns adding that it also owes the state government an arrier of Rs 31.25 crore of last year's handling charges.

UNI