Chandigarh, October 23 - The Haryana Government is conducting procurement of millet in a transparent manner and on a fair basis. A government spokesperson has termed the allegations of discrimination levelled by the opposition regarding the procurement of millet as factually incorrect and politically motivated. He said that the state government is fully committed to protecting the interests of farmers and ensuring fair price for their produce.
The spokesperson clarified that the government is conducting procurement of millet in a transparent manner through registered agencies and providing remunerative prices to the farmers both by purchasing at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and through Bhavantar Bharpay Yojana (BBY). He said that under Bhavantar Bharpay Yojana, farmers are compensated for the difference between the market price and the Minimum Support Price. This hybrid arrangement ensures that every farmer gets his due, whether through direct procurement or in the form of compensation for the difference in price.
He said that the government has started the procurement of bajra in several markets and the payment to the farmers is being made directly into their bank accounts within the stipulated time limit. No farmer will be deprived of the procurement or compensation process. The government has issued strict instructions to the procurement agencies to complete the prescribed process smoothly.
On the opposition's allegation that bajra is not being purchased at MSP, the spokesperson clarified that the procurement process depends on the FAQ (Fair Average Quality) standards set by the central government. He said that even if the quality of a consignment does not meet the standards due to weather or other reasons, the farmers are covered under the Bhavantar scheme so that they do not suffer any loss.
The spokesperson stressed that the present government has ensured record procurement in the previous seasons and is standing shoulder to shoulder with the farmers. He said that instead of misleading the farmers for political gains, the opposition should appreciate that Haryana is one of the few states that provides the benefit of both MSP procurement and price protection.