Ease moisture content norm for wheat: SAD

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 23

Shiromani Akali Dal general secretary and MP Prem Singh Chandumajra has requested the Central government to grant relaxation in moisture content rules for wheat in view of erratic climatic conditions over the past few days.

In a letter to Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Chandumajra said moisture content up to 6 per cent could be allowed as per the existing rules, but it varied between 15 to 20 per cent in the crop arriving in the grain markets. He said the Centre should work out a strategy to help the farmers overcome this difficulty of high moisture content and discolouration of the crop due to rains.

At present, a large number of farmers across Punjab are facing difficulty in selling their produce in the grain markets due to high moisture content.

The Akali leader said he had requested Pawan to consider the problems being faced by the Punjab farmers sympathetically and make the required amendments in the procurement process by issuing directions to the government agencies.