Union minister asks farmers not to hoard wheat

Chandigarh, May 8 (UNI) Expressing concern over farmers holding back their wheat stocks particularly in Punjab, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Akhilesh Prasad Singh made it clear that there would be no increase of the wheat price from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 850 per quintal.

''I want to make it clear that the Centre will not announce any increase in the wheat price or give an additional bonus on the MSP'', he said while addressing a media conference here today alongwith Food Corporation of India (FCI) CMD Alok Sinha.

Refering to the reported statement of Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal asking farmers to hold back wheat stocks, the Minister appealed to the farmers to avoid being misled by such predictions or claims. The government also has to look after the consumers and cannot increase the wheat price, he added.

Refering to the wheat procurement, Mr Singh said due to a good crop this year, the FCI had fixed a target of 150 lakh tonnes.

However, the procurement figures from Punjab were not very encouraging and till yesterday 59.3 lakh tonnes had been purchased by government agencies against the projected target of 90 lakh tonnes, he said while pointing out that in the last season 69 lakh tonnes had been procured in the state.

Mr Singh who alongwith Mr Sinha and other FCI officials later undertook a tour of the 'mandis' of Punjab, claimed that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during his meeting with the Union Agriculture and Food minister Sharad Pawar had promised that Punjab would contribute 90 lakh tonnes to the central pool. Unfortunately this target may not be achieved, he added.

Turning to Haryana, he said the state was on target and would contribute its promised share of 28 lakh tonnes.In the last season Haryana had contributed 22 lakh tonnes.

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