Wheat arrivals pick up in Haryana

Chandigarh, Apr 9 (UNI) Wheat arrivals are gradually picking up in Haryana, with 64,850 tonnes having arrived in the 'mandis' (grain markets) so far.

The arrival figure yesterday alone was 26,762 tonnes.

While stating this here today, Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan said out of the total wheat arrival, 54,180 tonnes had been procured by the six government procuring agencies at the minimum support price of Rs 850 per quintal including the bonus.

He said that traders had purchased 10,670 tonnes.

While enumerating the detail of the arrival of wheat in the mandis, he said that Food and Supplies Department had procured 19,550 tonnes, HAFED had procured 18,714 tonnes, Agro Industries Corporation 6,769 tonnes, Food Corporation of India 4,096 tonnes, Confed 3,567 tonnes and Haryana Warehousing Corporation 1,484 tonnes.

Mr Mohan, who also holds the food portfolio, said that a sum of Rs 2,195 crore had been sanctioned by the Reserve Bank of India for the current Rabi marketing season for the purchase of wheat.

He said that efforts would be made to procure 45-46 lakh tonnes of wheat this season.

He directed the officers of the procurement agencies to provide all facilities to the farmers coming to the mandis for sale of their wheat. He also directed them that the payment of the crop be made in 48-72 hours.

UNI