Wheat procurement at 2K centres this year

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 7

To avoid overcrowding in mandis in view of Covid, the Haryana Government has decided to open 2,000 smaller mandis and purchase centres for procurement of wheat. While the government will try and limit mustard procurement to five days beginning April 15 at 140 collection centres.

“Every farmer will be given a specific time and purchase centre to bring his produce from where it will be procured. This option will be available to the farmers registered on the ‘Meri Fasal, Mera Byora’ portal. I have directed the department to keep the registration of new farmers open till April 19 since procurement gets underway on April 20,” the CM said, adding that the produce of the unregistered famers would be taken after all registered famers were exhausted.

Maintaining that the state government had written to the Centre to give a “holding incentive” to the farmer for holding on to the produce, Khattar said the procured grain would be picked up in 24 hours and moved to the godown so that the farmers’ payment could be released. He said the arthiyas would make payments to the farmers.

The CM said while the government would try to procure mustard before wheat procurement begins, the remaining produce, if any, could be brought in after wheat procurement was complete.

He said farmers would be required to wear masks and these would be made available in the villages and mandis. Khattar explained that sites for mandis were being identified and would be finalised in a day or two. “Many organisations have come forward to offer their space for procurement, which may stretch up to two months and we urge others to do so whenever possible,” he said, adding that dera Sacha Sauda offered its sheds for the same.

The CM said eight villages in Panipat came forward to help the families of daily wage earners and a relief camp was set up in Mahendragarh. The government distributed 55 lakh food packets and 3.5 lakh packets containing seven-day ration, Khattar said.

On the Covid relief fund, Khattar said Rs 40 crore was deposited in the account. “Employees have come forward and business houses have contributed. The farmers, as always, should come forward and donate 1 kg per quintal with a maximum of 5kg per quintal. The amount will be accepted at the mandis from the willing farmers,” he said.

The CM also said it was decided that the discretionary quota of the ministers and others to the tune of Rs 2 crore and more was pledged to the consolidated fund. “Though the MLAs have already contributed one month’s salary, we will hold consultations with them and decide if more contributions can be made,” Khattar said.

Begin wheat purchase immediately: Abhay

The INLD on Tuesday demanded immediate start of procurement of wheat and mustard in the state.

Ellenabad MLA and senior INLD leader Abhay Chautala said farmers in certain districts, including Nuh, Rewari and Narnaul, were already finding it difficult to store mustard while the wheat crop was ready for harvesting.

He said procurement should be initiated by dividing 4-5 villages in a cluster for the convenience of farmers and procurement agencies. Similarly, there should be no cap on the quantity of wheat and mustard to be procured, he said.