Chandigarh: Government procurement of wheat in Punjab will start from April 1. This 2-month purchase season will end on May 31, 2018.
In the meeting of the Punjab Council of Ministers yesterday, the policy for purchase of 130 lakh metric tonnes of wheat was approved in the marketing season of Rabi 2018-19.
At the same time, the timely payment of minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 1735 per quintal fixed by the Central Government to the farmers was assured.
The six procuring agencies including FCI to procure 130 lakh metric tonnes of wheat. In these procurement agencies, PUNGRAIN 26 lac MT (20%), Markfed 26 lac MT (20%), PUNSUP 26 Punjab State Warehousing Corporation 14.30 lac MT (11%) Punjab Agro Factories 11.70 lac MT (9%), FCI 26 lac MT (20%), Wheat will be Purchased.
According to the policy, these components have been set out from the perspective of administrative points under which these agencies will be responsible for purchasing their shares in the mandis. This purchase will continue till the arrival of wheat in the mandis in the context of their part. According to the spokespersons, wheat procurement has been ensured to the stockists from the mandis under this policy. This must be done within 72 hours of purchase.
According to the spokesperson, Deputy Commissioners have to constitute Grievances Committees. Wheat procurement will be done in all the mandis / purchase centers during Sunday and Gazetted holidays so that there is not much storage of grains in the mandis. According to the spokesperson, 1835 mandis have been notified for procurement of wheat.