Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Dr Sumita Misra on Friday said that the procurement of mustard has been ongoing in Haryana under the Rabi season 2024 since March 26, and now procurement of wheat will commence from April 1, for which 417 mandis/purchase centers have been established in the State.

Presiding over a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners, Police Superintendents, and District Food and Supply Controllers (DFSCs) regarding the preparations for procurement through video conferencing, Dr Misra said that this year, it is expected that there will be higher arrivals of wheat compared to the previous year, and hence robust arrangements have been made for the procurement of crops. Once again, the payment for crop procurement will be directly credited to the farmers' accounts through electronic mode within 48 to 72 hours, informed Dr Misra.

She directed the officers concerned that four procurement agencies, namely, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department, HAFED, HSWC, and FCI (Central Agency), will procure crops at the minimum support price set by the Government of India. Deputy Commissioners will coordinate with these agencies in their districts and monitor procurement activities.

The Additional Chief Secretary said that surprise inspections of mandis will also be carried out by senior officials of the district. In addition, senior IAS officers, who are district in-charges, will inspect mandis in their respective districts.

She said that registered farmers will receive online payments for MSP directly into their bank accounts through the e-kharid portal. Proper cleanliness arrangements and other basic facilities will be ensured in mandis and purchase centers. She directed that this year, considering the expected higher arrival of wheat, sufficient storage space should be earmarked for storing the crop in the concerned districts.

Dr Misra said that coordination should be established with HAFED and Haryana State Warehousing Corporation to arrange additional storage facilities such as silos, if available in their or adjoining districts.

The ACS said that to ensure proper operation of procurement and to avoid any unpleasant situation, the Director-General of Police ensures adequate security arrangements in mandis. Additionally, traffic management will be carried out by the police to prevent inconvenience to other travelers near mandis due to traffic jams/crowds. She also directed the installation of checkpoints in districts adjoining other states, said Dr Misra.

She directed the Deputy Commissioners to appoint a nodal officer to oversee procurement activities in mandis/purchase centers. For the safety of crops, sufficient arrangements of temporary shed/tarpaulin should also be ensured.

It was informed during the meeting that help desks have been set up in mandis for the convenience of farmers, and arrangements for drinking water and toilets have also been made. CCTV cameras and electronic weighbridges have been provided in mandis as well.