Punjab urges Centre to allow deferring of wheat procurement

It is requested that the beginning of wheat procurement may be extended from April 1 to April 15, so as to ensure proper protocol in the wake of COVID-19.

KAP SINHA, principal secretary (food and civil supplies) to Centre

We have decided to postpone the operations. We will put a system in place to make sure that farmers do not reach mandis in large numbers.

BHARAT BHUSHAN ASHU, food and civil supplies minister

CHANDIGARH :In view of the statewide curfew imposed by the Punjab government to check spread of coronavirus outbreak, the food and civil supplies department has asked the Centre to allow postponement of wheat procurement by 15 days, which was scheduled to begin on April 1.

In a communication to the Union ministry of food, consumer affairs and food distribution, principal secretary (food and civil supplies) KAP Sinha has made a request in this regard.

“It is requested that the beginning of wheat procurement may be extended from April 1 to April 15, so as to ensure proper protocol in the wake of COVID-19. The duration of procurement period may also be decided accordingly as per the prevailing situation. It is further requested that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may also be advised to issue us authorisation of cash credit limit (CCL) with validity up to June 30,” Sinha said in his letter.

An official, seeking anonymity, said the deferment may go beyond April 15 in case the situation does not improve. “We will take stock of situation later and take a call accordingly,” said an official.

“The procurement of rabi crop is to be ensured while maintaining prescribed protocol in mandis in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. The farmers will have to be told in advance not to reach mandis in groups,” said Sinha suggesting a roster with token system for farmers so that any rush and glut is avoided.

“Though mandis are spread across the state, it will require rescheduling of procurement period,” he added.

State procurement agencies MARKED, PUNSUP, PUNGRAIN and PSWC, and the Centre’s Food Corporation of India (FCI) procure wheat and paddy.

35 LAKH TONNES OF WHEAT EXPECTED TO ARRIVE

The food and civil supplies department has also held discussions with the agriculture department and the mandi board for deferring procurement, asking them to get ready for a delayed procurement.

The agriculture department has estimated arrival of 135 lakh tonnes of wheat in the upcoming season and the food and civil supplies department has sought Rs 32,000 crore as CCL from the RBI.

DON’T WANT FARMERS TO BE IN TROUBLE: MINISTER

“We do not want farmers to be in trouble by catching the virus as there’s no treatment available for the deadly disease, so it is best to take precautions. We have decided to postpone the operations. We will put a system in place to make sure that farmers do not reach mandis in large numbers with their produce,” food and civil supplies minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu told HT.

According to the agriculture department, maturing of wheat crop has been delayed due to recent rain and fall in temperature.