Indri, October 10: Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana visited the grain markets of Indri, Taraori and Nilokheri to review paddy procurement arrangements. During the visit, he interacted with farmers who had brought paddy to the mandis, commission agents and traders to gather information about procurement, lifting and other arrangements. He said farmers should not face any inconvenience during the paddy procurement season.
During the inspection, the Cabinet Minister obtained information from officials about paddy arrivals, the procurement process, crop quality and moisture testing, availability of gunny bags, lifting of produce and facilities being provided to farmers. He also got the moisture levels in paddy heaps checked and directed officials to speed up the procurement process. He listened to the problems of farmers, commission agents and traders and spoke to senior officials over the phone to ensure that their issues were resolved on the spot.
Speaking to journalists, the Agriculture Minister said special emphasis was being placed on lifting paddy from mandis. Faster lifting would free up space in the markets and help ensure that procurement continued smoothly. He said alternative arrangements would be made if there was a shortage of vehicles for transportation. If required, vehicles belonging to rice millers could also be used to ensure that lifting operations were not disrupted.
Geo-fencing and Biometric System to Prevent Irregularities:
Regarding transparency in paddy procurement, the minister said that geo-fencing, biometric verification and a gate-pass system had been introduced in mandis this year. Paddy-laden tractor-trolleys entering a mandi would be registered at the entry gate, and biometric verification and records related to the paddy heap would be completed according to the prescribed procedure. The procurement process would then proceed, followed by the issuance of the J-form. An outgoing-pass record would also be maintained when paddy left the mandi. He said the concerned procurement agencies and the Market Committee would maintain records of both incoming and outgoing produce. This would help monitor the procurement process and reduce the scope for irregularities.
Paddy Will Be Procured at MSP Even if Production Exceeds the Average:
Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that farmers whose fields produced more paddy than the prescribed average did not need to worry about selling their crop. Such farmers should inform the secretary of their mandi. The mandi secretary would notify the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) and Deputy Commissioner. After obtaining the necessary approval under the prescribed procedure, procurement of the farmer’s additional produce would be ensured. He clarified that every grain of an eligible farmer’s crop would be procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), and payment would be transferred to the farmer’s bank account.
Responding to a question about moisture content in paddy, the minister said moisture levels could vary depending on the harvesting process and the condition of the crop. He said farmers should not face unnecessary difficulties during procurement. Asked about delays in procurement at mandis, he said that any problems would be resolved through discussions with the concerned agencies. He added that, on the directions of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, public representatives and officials had been asked to visit mandis, listen to farmers’ concerns and ensure their resolution. He reiterated that the government was committed to farmers’ interests and was taking the necessary steps to keep the procurement process smooth.
Also present on the occasion were MLA Ram Kumar Kashyap; Nilokheri SDM Ashok Kumar; DSP Sonu; Indri Market Committee Chairman Mahendra Panjokhra; Taraori Market Committee Chairman Mandeep Chaudhary; Market Committee Secretary Sandeep Sachdeva; Nilokheri Market Committee Secretary Shivnath Kapoor; Mandi Secretary Ashok Sharma; BJP leader Rajbir Sharma; and officials from the concerned departments, farmers and commission agents.
The minister appealed to farmers not to burn paddy stubble and instead manage it appropriately. He also urged them to take advantage of government schemes for stubble management and contribute to environmental protection.
