New Delhi, September 28
Amid intensifying farmers’ agitation, the Centre, which on Monday allowed all states to commence rice/paddy procurement operations in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS), said 5,637 MT grain worth Rs 10.53 crore at MSP of Rs 1,868 per quintal was procured from 390 farmers of Haryana and Punjab where purchase started Saturday.
“The procurement of paddy during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 started from September 26 and up to September 27, 5637 MT having MSP value of Rs 10.53 crore at MSP of Rs 1,868 per quintal has been procured from 390 farmers of Haryana and Punjab,” a statement issued by the Agriculture Ministry today said.
The procurement of paddy for the remaining states also commenced today.
Meanwhile, based on the proposal from states, approval has been accorded for procurement of 13.77 LMT of pulses and oilseeds for the season from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Haryana. For other states/UTs, approval will be accorded on receipt of proposals and procurement made as per Price Support Scheme (PSS) if the market rates go below its MSP, the Ministry said.
The procurement of cotton for the season 2020-21 will commence from October 1 and Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) will start purchase of FAQ grade cotton from the day.
State governments have been asked to ensure wide publicity of uniform specifications among farmers to ensure they get due price for their produce and any rejection of the stocks is completely avoided.
All states/Union Territories and Food Corporation of India have been advised that the procurement during KMS 2020-21 may be strictly in accordance with the uniform specifications. The Food Corporation of India and state procurement agencies have also been directed to “ensure hassle free procurement and Minimum Support Price (MSP) payments to farmers,” according to the statement.
Till September 24, the government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 34.20 MT of Moong having MSP value of Rs 25 lakh benefitting 40 farmers in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, 5,089 MT of copra (the perennial crop) having MSP value of Rs 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3,961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu against the sanctioned quantity of 95.75 LMT for the Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it said.
Meanwhile after early Kharif rice procurement, sources say the government is planning to make procurement in the Rabi season, for which MSP has already been announced, a “seamless/ smooth procedure” to prove wrong adversaries/rivals leading the “misinformation campaign” against the new agriculture laws.
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