Delay in wheat purchase adds to farmers’ woes

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jind, April 19

Even after 19 days of the start of the official purchase of wheat, only 46,923 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat has been purchased by various agencies in the district. The figure stood at 1,54,346 MT last year.

The authorities have also failed to ensure the timely lifting of purchased stock, as only 4,525 MT of wheat has been lifted from grain markets out of the total purchase.

Agencies like Confed have not started their purchase as yet. Last year, both had purchased 5,476 MT and 5,200 MT, respectively, till this time last year.

All agencies are deliberately going slow on purchase. Figures show that out of the purchase of 46,923 MT, Hafed is on the top with 21,265 MT, the Food and Civil Supplies Department stands second with the purchase of 14,919, Haryana Agro is next in the line with the purchase of 6,546 MT, followed by the Haryana Warehouse Corporation, which has purchased 4,193 MT.

“Quick lifting of wheat from the markets is a must to make space for more crop. I have directed officials concerned to ensure speedy lifting,” said Jind DC Ajit Balaji Joshi.