Speed up lifting of procured wheat in mandis, minister directs officials

Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rajesh Nagar, on Monday visited the grain market here to review the procurement of the Rabi crop.

The arrival of wheat has picked up pace up in the grain market, while lifting of the crop remains tardy. Out of total procured crop, only 26 per cent has been lifted in Panipat, while in Sonepat district only 23 per cent wheat was lifted till Sunday evening.

Nagar along with Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam and Sonepat MLA Nikhil Madaan visited the grain market on Monday, while he was on the way to attend the Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Yamunanagar.

The minister reviewed the procurement process in order to make it more transparent and convenient for farmers. He sought details of procurement of the Rabi crop from officials of various purchasing agencies. The minister also inspected basic services and facilities provided to farmers in the grain market.

Nagar directed officials of the marketing board and crop purchasing agencies to provide better facilities to farmers. He told them to ensure that farmers’ got payments within the stipulated time period.

Nagar also interacted with farmers, who arrived at the grain market to sell their produce. After interacting with farmers, the minister directed officials to make arrangements for potable water, proper lights and sanitation and maintain facility and first aid centres in grain markets during the procurement season.

Panipat Deputy Commissioner Virender Kumar Dahiya claimed that the procurement in all 12 grain markets and purchase centres in the district was going on smoothly. He further said a total of 11.43 lakh quintals of wheat arrived in mandis out of which 7.44 lakh quintals had been procured till Sunday evening. Out of the total procured crop, 2 lakh quintals had been lifted so far, he asserted.

Similarly in Sonepat, the arrival of wheat has also increased in mandis. As per data, a total 1,02,310 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat had arrived in 24 grain markets and purchase centres at Delhi and agencies had purchased it till Sunday evening.

Lifting of procured wheat is also reportedly slower in Sonepat district. According to the record, a total of 24,536 MT procured wheat had been lifted till Sunday evening against 1,02,310 MT of wheat purchased. This was only 23 per cent of the purchased crop.