Jalandhar, October 22
In a major relief to Punjab farmers, the Centre has agreed to extend relaxations for the procurement of paddy from October 24 to November 15.
Now the farmers would be able to sell discoloured paddy, upto 8 per cent, till November 15.
The relaxation was given by the Central Government from October 4 to October 24, but it was extended as thousands of farmers were not expected to sell their produce within the stipulated period.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Avtaar Henry had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Food Minister Sharad Pawar.
The Food Ministry informed Mr Henry today that relaxation had been
extended.
Talking to The Tribune, Mr Henry said the Centre had also agreed to increase the damage per cent in rice from 2 to 4 per cent. It included 1 per cent pinpoint damage.
The Central Government had also agreed to reduce the rice yield from paddy from the existing 67 kg to 66 kg per quintal. Punjab millers would get a direct benefit of about Rs 100 crore.
