Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday said all those arhtiyas whose commission and labour wage dues have been pending since the last procurement season would get interest for the delayed amount.
“The process of payment of interest will start from April 8 and arhtiyas have been asked to get their accounts verified. Necessary directions for the same have been issued to the Food and Civil Supplies Department,” the Chief Minister said while presiding over the review meeting of Rabi procurement process held with all the Deputy Commissioners and officers concerned through video conferencing.
Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister JP Dalal were also present during the meeting.
The State Government has also decided to pay 9 percent interest on the payment made after 15 days of the end of the crop procurement-season. With this, about Rs 1.18 crore will be paid as interest to 9828 arthiyas in the state.
The Chief Minister said that recently, a meeting with arhtiyas was held during which important issues were discussed and State Government had assured them that they would not face any problem during the procurement.
The government has decided that those who were paid 15 days after the end of the Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21, (i.e. after January 1, 2021) will be given interest of 9 percent on the delayed principal amount. The details of these 9828 arthiyas have been obtained from the e-Khareed portal.
Prior to payment, the report received from the e-Khareed portal will be sent to the concerned arthiya and after confirmation on the amount, the payment will be transferred to the bank account.
It was informed that 6435 Arthiyas associated with the Food and Supplies Department, will be paid about Rs 63.8 lakh, 3351 arthiyas associated with Haryana Warehousing Corporation will be paid about Rs 17.21 lakh and interest of Rs 37.30 lakh will be given to 42 cooperative societies of Hafed.
During the meeting, Deputy Commissioners apprised the Chief Minister that smooth procurement is being done in the mandis.
The Chief Minister directed that regular talks should be held with the arthiyas so as to ensure that they do not face any problem.
He also directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure hassle-free procurement. He said that the procurement of wheat has already commenced in the mandis from April 1.
Khattar further directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that farmers do not face any trouble in bringing their crops to the mandis. Proper arrangement for gate pass, computers, drinking water and toilets should be ensured, he added.
Notably, during this procurement season, the State Government has announced that there would be 100 per cent direct online transfer of minimum support price (MSP) in the accounts of the farmers.