In letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for protection of farmers’ interests and proper price of their produce, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Madhya Pradesh tops in gram production in the country.
Central Government has announced Rs 3,100 per quintal as support price for gram while market price is between Rs 2,300 and Rs 2,500 per quintal. Central Government’s agency NAFED is not procuring gram on support price. Central Government should take initiative and direct NAFED to procure gram on support price. Besides, jute bags for storage, space and credit should also be increased for NAFED so that the agency can ensure pre-procurement preparations.
In the letters, Chouhan mentioned that Central Government had provided Rs 306 crore subsidy for promoting pulses production. As a result, 10 per cent increase was registered in growth area of gram in Madhya Pradesh. Production is also expected to increase by 24 per cent. It is necessary to procure 20 lakh MT gram on support price in Madhya Pradesh. Procurement is being done in a better way through e-Procurement in Madhya Pradesh. State’s agency is also doing good work.
Chouhan met Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar at his New Delhi residence on Tuesday and urged him to direct NAFED to procure gram from farmers of Madhya Pradesh on support price. Chouhan demanded that either NAFED should procure gram on support price or the Central Government authorise any other agency for it or the Union Agriculture Ministry should authorise State’s MARKFED to procure gram on support price so that farmers of Madhya Pradesh are not forced to sell gram at lower price than announced by the Central Government. The State Government is willing to sign agreement with State NAFED and Ministry for procuring gram on support price.
Pawar informed the Chief Minister that this will require over Rs 6,000 crore. This needs approval of the Prime Minister and Finance Minister. He will extend full cooperation. Chouhan will soon meet the Prime Minister and Finance Minister in this regard.
Chouhan informed Union Agriculture Minister that second installment of Rs 272 crore out of allocation for year 2013-14 to Madhya Pradesh is pending with the Central Government. As per norms, Madhya Pradesh has submitted certificate for total utilisation of funds for year 2011-12 besides the fact that over 90 per cent allocation for year 2012-13 has also been utilised. Of this year’s allocation also, 77 per cent funds have been utilised. Chouhan urged him to direct to release second installment of Rs 272 crore to Madhya Pradesh so that important agriculture development projects can be completed in the State.