Steps taken for wheat procurement: Govt

CHANDIGARH : The Haryana government on Monday claimed to have made all arrangements for procurement of wheat.

Talking to mediapersons, additional chief secretary, food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department, Ram Niwas said around 80 lakh tonnes of wheat will be procured at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,735 per quintal for the current rabi season as compared to 74.25 lakh quintal tonnes procured at an MSP of Rs 1,625 during the last season.

He said every grain of wheat would be procured in the state.

The agriculture department has estimated production of about 117.80 lakh tonnes of wheat in the state.

He said the Food Corporation of India (FCI) would procure 12% wheat and the rest 88% will be procured by state procurement agencies. Hafed would procure 40 % wheat, food and supplies 33%, Haryana Warehousing Corporation 15% and FCI 12%.

Over 2.66 lakh gunny bales have already been made available and wooden planks, polythene covers and other material needed for procurement at the district level, he said.

The official added that it was for the first time that e-tenders were floated for the appointment of labour and transport contractors in various mandis of the state..

CASES AGAINST RICE MILLERS

Replying to a query, he said a case has been registered against For Fresh Rice Mill, Taraori mandi, Karnal, and nine persons for not following the terms and conditions. The government had started registering cases against all defaulting rice millers who had not returned the rice of the departments in the past five years. Disciplinary actionagainst officials concerned is also being taken.