Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that farmers in Haryana will be ensured a payment of Rs 2,900 per quintal for bajra under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. He directed officials to strictly curb attempts to bring bajra from other states and sell it in Haryana.
The Chief Minister issued these directions while chairing a review meeting on Friday regarding the procurement of bajra and paddy. He also gave necessary directions to officials regarding area verification under Meri Fasal-Mera Byora, registration of rice millers, arrangements required at mandis for the procurement of bajra and paddy, and setting up additional procurement centres as per requirement. Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Rajesh Nagar, and OSD to the Chief Minister, Virender Badkhalsa, were also present at the meeting.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that last year, the government had initially fixed the procurement rate for bajra at Rs 2,150 per quintal and later increased it to Rs 2,200 per quintal. The difference between the procurement price offered by the government and commission agents and the MSP of Rs 2,900 per quintal was separately compensated by the government. This year, bajra is being sold in the open market at an average rate of Rs 2,235 per quintal.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also reviewed the arrangements being made for paddy procurement. He directed that rice millers be registered in all districts. Rice millers who were found involved in irregularities in the past would not be registered. He said that in districts where fewer rice millers are registered, the paddy from those districts would be allocated to rice millers in other districts. The Chief Minister also directed officials to explore the possibility of registering rice millers from other states, if required.
