The procurement of wheat would begin in Punjab from Wednesday (April 15), and all the necessary arrangements for the same have been made.
Food and Civil Supply Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu said that during the current season, the procurement agencies as well as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) would procure wheat on the fixed minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,925.
“The State’s Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department has expressed possibility of arrival of 135 lakh metric tonne wheat in view of which, the shares or targets of procurement of wheat have been fixed between various agencies such as Pungrain 26 percent (35.10), Markfed 23.50 percent (31.72), Punsup 21.50 percent (29.02), Warehouse 14 percent (18.90) and FCI 15 percent (20.25),” he said.
The Minister said that the State Government has declared 1867 procurement centres and 1824 rice mills as Mandi Yards and as per their linking plan, the allotment has been done between the agencies.
During the Rabi season 2020-21, the State Government has made arrangements for the new jute, HDAP or PP sacks of 50 kgs for wheat procurement for central pool. The Pungrain has arranged for the sacks with 30 kg capacity for filling the wheat to be distributed under the National Food Security Act.
“Every district is being supplied with bardana as per need. As per the State Government directions, the Mandi Board has issued tokens Mandi-wise and Arhti-wise and Bardana would be sent to the Mandi and provided to the arhtiyas,” he said.
“Token system has been introduced in mandis to enable farmers to systematically bring their wheat to the mandis. Apart from this, the social distancing norms would be enforced in the mandis, in accordance with which box signs of 30 feet x 30 feet have been marked at two metres distance. The wheat would be unloaded in this area only and further, the bidding time for wheat has been fixed between 10 am to 6 pm,” said Ashu.
The labourers would be provided with masks by contractor of transportation to protect them from Covid-19. The procurement agencies and Mandi Board officials would ensure that the labourers remain in good health. The payments with regard to the wheat procured in Rabi season 2020-21 would be made through the online mode via Anaaj Kharid Portal.
The Minister said that all DCs have been directed to make adequate arrangements for wheat procurement, harvesting of wheat at time fixed, PSPCL chairman has been directed to ensure availability of power 24 hours in 1867 procurement centres and 1824 rice mills cum Mandi Yards.
“DGP has also been written regarding providing required security in the procurement centres. District level control rooms and Mandi wise grievance redressal committees have been formed to sort out any issues of farmers. Besides this, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has also set up a control room at Head Office level for redressing the complaints of farmers,” he said.
CAPT WRITES TO PM REITERATING DEMAND FOR INCENTIVE TO FARMERS BRINGING IN WHEAT AFTER APRIL 30
With Rabi harvesting and procurement season set to start from Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating his demand for incentive or bonus to farmers bringing in their produce to the mandis after April 30, to check overcrowding at the markets.
“The Centre should immediately announce a bonus of Rs 100 per quintal over and above MSP to the farmers for bringing wheat for marketing after May 1, 2020, and Rs 200 per quintal after May 31, in order to compensate them for the additional cost for handling the produce for staggering the marketing and the reduction in yield,” said the Chief Minister.
Amid Covid-19, the cost in paying incentive bonus would be offset by resultant saving in the cost of healthcare, which otherwise would have to be incurred in case of spread of this deadly virus, wrote the Chief Minister.
It could not be overemphasized that farmers must be encouraged to follow health advisories in this extraordinary situation the nation is facing, while ensuring the national food security necessary procurement arrangements are in place accordingly, he said.
Capt Amarinder added that in view of the threat of coronavirus pandemic, the state had already made elaborate arrangements for procurement of wheat. “The number of purchase centers had been almost doubled from 1820 last year to 3791 during the current Rabi Marketing Season to ensure social distancing, and staggering of wheat arrivals in these centers has been planned by limiting daily arrivals and extending procurement season up to June 30.
This was also required due to shortage of agriculture labourers on account of prevalent pandemic in the state, which would involve an extra expenditure for the farmer in terms of unloading at home after the harvest, as well as the storage and reloading at the time of marketing,” he said.