CM Directs Administrative Secretaries to Visit Mandis and Monitor Procurement Process
New Delhi, October 7: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed officials to ensure the immediate lifting of paddy and bajra procured at mandis across the state, so that farmers do not face any inconvenience while selling their produce. He stressed that the entire process—from procurement and lifting to payment—must function smoothly.
The Chief Minister was chairing a meeting in Chandigarh on Wednesday to review the procurement of Kharif crops. Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Vijaiendra Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Amneet P. Kumar, and senior officials from the concerned departments attended the meeting.
5 Lakh Quintals of Paddy Procured So Far
Officials informed the Chief Minister that 5 lakh quintals of paddy had been procured so far under the ongoing Kharif procurement process in the state.
Saini directed officials to ensure that the lifting of produce keeps pace with the increasing arrivals at the mandis. This, he said, would prevent unnecessary accumulation of stocks and ensure that farmers do not face difficulties in bringing their produce to the markets.
The Chief Minister said the government would ensure that Haryana farmers receive a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹2,900 per quintal for bajra this year.
The government will procure bajra at ₹2,300 per quintal. If a farmer receives a price higher than ₹2,300 per quintal in the open market, the government will compensate for the difference between the sale price and the MSP of ₹2,900 per quintal under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.
Under the scheme, farmers will receive a benefit of ₹600 per quintal from the government. Officials informed the meeting that bajra is currently being sold in the open market at an average price of around ₹2,235 per quintal. Bajra is also being procured by private dealers.
Officials further informed the meeting that last year, the government had initially fixed the procurement price of bajra at ₹2,150 per quintal, which was later revised to ₹2,200 per quintal. The government separately compensated for the difference between the procurement price fixed by the government and commission agents and the MSP of ₹2,900 per quintal.
Administrative Secretaries Asked to Visit Mandis
The Chief Minister directed administrative secretaries to personally visit mandis, assess the ground situation regarding procurement, lifting and facilities for farmers, and submit reports to the government.
Senior officials have been asked to monitor the actual arrangements at the mandis. In addition, an HCS-level officer has been appointed at each mandi to ensure smooth procurement operations.
Saini also said that a team of departmental officials had been constituted to address the issue of paddy left with rice millers from last year’s procurement. A rate of ₹2,777 per quintal has been fixed for the convenience of traders.
Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Yashpal, Managing Director of HAFED Chandrashekhar Khare, Director General of Food and Supplies Dr Anshaj Singh, and several other senior officials were also present at the meeting. :::
If you want, I can also make this shorter and sharper in a newspaper/press-release style with a stronger headline and subheadline.