‘There is no glut, both arrival and procurement are more’
CHANDIGARH Amid reports of glut in Punjab’s grain markets and the state trying its best to ensure smooth procurement, HT’s Gurpreet Singh Nibber caught up with Union secretary, food and public distribution, Ravi Kant. Kant and state officials visited grain markets of Khanna and Sirhind on Thursday .
Q There are reports of glut in mandis due to slow procurement and lack of storage space. Your views.
A Over the past week and, so far, this week there has been a sudden arrival of wheat in mandis because of changing weather. Due to the dry spell that followed the scattered rains, the crop has ripened quickly. The quantity that was supposed to reach the mandis in 15 days arrived in a week. There is no glut. Compared to the corresponding days of the previous wheat procurement season, both the arrival and the procurement are more. The Centre will allocate maximum possible special trains to the state to facilitate smooth lifting.
Farmers apprehend that the centre may discontinue the Minimum Support Price and assured marketing for wheat and paddy.
The apprehensions are illfounded. There is no such move and the MSP system will not end.
In February, Niti Aayog vicechairman Rajiv Kumar, in a meeting with the top officials of the state government, asked them to look beyond the nation’s food security and gear the state’s farmers to grow crops other than wheat and paddy. This statement was seen as the Centre telling farmers that it doesn’t need the grain. Your comments.
I am not responsible for what Niti Aayog said. I am responsible for the procurement of wheat and paddy from the state. We are doing it effectively and 97 lakh tonne has been procured.
What is the scope of exporting wheat, through Wagah border?
As per the regulations of the World Trade Organisation, the stock which we buy is not for export. It is for public distribution within the country. There is no restriction on exports by private traders and they can do that, either by road or any other mode. Export could happen, as we are comfortable with our reserve food stock.
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Farmers’ apprehensions on MSP are illfounded. The system will not end.
RAVI KANT, food secretary