Chandigarh, 7 October:- Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister Shri Krishan Lal Panwar visited the Kaithal grain market on Wednesday and reviewed the arrangements for paddy procurement. He interacted with farmers who had brought their crops to the market and obtained information from officials about the procurement process, besides issuing necessary directions. He made it clear that farmers should not face any inconvenience during the procurement season and that every grain of their produce would be purchased at the prescribed Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Minister Shri Krishan Lal Panwar also visited a heap of paddy brought to the market and got its moisture content assessed with a moisture-measuring device. Farmers told the minister that their crop was not being purchased at MSP, that they had to stay in two or three markets and were facing considerable inconvenience. He visited another heap of paddy, personally checked its moisture level with the moisture-measuring device and directed the officials and agencies present on the spot to carry out procurement. The minister directed all three agencies to make procurement equally.
He said that there are 270 commission-agent shops in Kaithal. Warehouses will handle procurement from shops numbered 1 to 90, the Food and Supplies Department from 91 to 180, and Hafed will procure paddy from shops numbered 181 to 270. Samples should be taken twice, from the top and bottom of the heap, in the presence of farmers, and they should be explained that there is moisture in their heap and that it should be exposed to air for drying. He directed officials of the agencies to procure paddy in coordination with one another. The Nayab government will purchase every grain. Farmers will not be allowed to face any kind of problem.
Minister Krishan Lal Panwar directed the SDM to send a report on the procurement carried out by all three agencies. He said that strict action would be taken against any official found negligent in this work. He also directed that the process of lifting paddy from the markets be expedited.
In view of the problems related to registration on ‘Meri Fasal-Mera Byora’, the minister said that the portal has been opened today and on October 8, and any farmer can get registered. One patwari has been assigned to each market, and a committee has also been constituted to ensure that the process is carried out smoothly. He appealed to farmers to dry their paddy before bringing it to the markets for sale so that they do not face any difficulty.
The Development and Panchayats Minister said that all essential basic facilities for farmers, including electricity, drinking water, toilets and adequate gunny bags, should be kept available in the market. Cleanliness and other arrangements in the market should also be properly maintained. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, the Haryana Government is giving the highest priority to the interests of farmers. The government is procuring 24 crops in the state at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), enabling farmers to receive a fair price for their produce.
