Mustard procurement yet to start, says Govt

Bhopal, Mar 22 (UNI) The government today admitted in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly that procurement of mustard was yet to start in Sheopur district, where bumper crop was expected and the market price was higher than the support price of Rs 1715 per quintal.

Cooperation Minister Gopal Bhargava, while replying to a call attention notice moved by Mr Durgalal Vijay (BJP), said preliminary arrangements for procurement had been made at ten centres in Sheopur district.

He denied Mr Vijay's contention that farmers were compelled to sell mustard to traders at less rate as the procurement centres were yet to start functioning.

Mr Bhargava said adequate arrangement of gunny bags and storage facilities had been made.

He said State Cooperative Marketing Federation, agent of Centre's nodal agency Nafed, procures mustard through primary cooperative societies. Nafed sold cent percent stock procured last year and sufficient storage facility was available, he added.

Deputy Speaker Hazarilal Raghuvanshi also expressed concern that mustard procurement was yet to start and directed the government to take suitable action in the interest of farmers.

UNI