Government launches kharif procurement in Haryana, Punjab

In an try to placate farmers agitating towards three farm-linked legislations, the Centre has decided to advance paddy procurement in the 2020-21 Kharif promoting season (KMS) in Punjab and Haryana.

In an formal assertion issued in this article on Saturday, the Ministry of Buyer Affairs, Meals and Public Distribution claimed it would start procurement of paddy in the two north Indian States from Saturday, in advance of Oct 1, the date set for commencing procurement throughout the state usually.

“…in perspective of early arrival of paddy in the mandis of Haryana and Punjab. Federal government of India has appeared the commencement of procurement operations for paddy/rice quickly in both of those these States from now, i.e. with influence from 26th September 2020 to ensure that farmers are facilitated in providing their produce at Minimum Assist Price tag (MSP) expeditiously,” the ministry assertion claimed.

Significantly, these two States have been witnessing highest protest towards the farm Bills in the previous few times. In Punjab for occasion, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh committee, which spearheading the protests in the State given that Thursday, has decided to increase its rail roko agitation until September 29.

“This is unquestionably a move to placate the agitating farmers. These two States have been seeing the highest protests. But there is no damage in advancing the commencement of procurement as paddy arrivals commence usually by September 15,” claimed Devinder Sharma, an agricultural policy specialist.

The authorities has by now introduced early this thirty day period that it would procure more than 495 lakh tonnes of rice, virtually 20 per cent more than the 416 lakh tonnes focus on set for the 2019-20 KMS.