Karnal MLA Anand inspects grain market, assures farmers of smooth procurement

A day after rice millers resumed milling under the Custom-Milled Rice (CMR) policy after the assurance given by the caretaker Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, newly elected BJP MLA from Karnal, Jagmohan Anand, visited the Karnal grain market to review the ongoing procurement process. He asked the officials to ensure smooth procurement and immediate lifting of paddy to avoid space shortage in the markets.

Farmers in the district have been facing delays in procurement and lifting due to slow operations in grain markets, leading to shortage of space. Many farmers have also complained that their paddy was being procured at a deduction of Rs 200-300 per quintal, citing high moisture content.

Anand assured farmers that their crops would be purchased at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) without any delay and as per government guidelines.

“I have reviewed the arrangements of procurement and directed officials to ensure speedy and smooth procurement and lifting of paddy, otherwise action would be taken against them,” said Anand, directing the officials to open all the four gates of the grain markets to ensure the smooth lifting of paddy.

An official said 1,51,757 MT of paddy had arrived in grain markets. The procurement is underway at 15 purchase centres across the district. Out of the total paddy received, the Food Supply Department has procured 90,072 MT, HAFED has purchased 36,315 MT, and the Haryana Warehousing Corporation has procured 25,370 MT. Anand urged farmers to dry their paddy before bringing it to the mandis to avoid any issues during the sale.

Newly elected from Pundri in Kaithal, MLA Satpal Jamba inspected the Pundri and Pai grain markets and instructed officials to ensure that farmers’ crops were procured at the prescribed MSP without delay and that the lifting process be accelerated to prevent congestion in markets.

Jamba held meetings with officials, arhtiyas and farmers to listen to their concerns. He assured farmers that paddy that met the required standards would be procured without any delay. He also directed the concerned authorities to ensure the presence of rice millers and procurement agency officials during the bidding process.