Karnal MLA inspects grain market amid delay in procurement, assures farmers smooth paddy procurement

A day after rice millers resumed milling under the custom-milled rice policy after the assurance of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, newly elected BJP MLA from Karnal, Jagmohan Anand, visited the grain market to review the ongoing procurement process. He directed the officials to ensure smooth procurement and immediate lifting of the paddy to avoid space shortages in the markets.

Farmers in the district have been facing delays in procurement and lifting due to slow operations in the grain markets, leading to a shortage of space. Many farmers have also complained that their paddy is 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 the officials to ensure the speedy and smooth procurement and lifting of the paddy,” Anand said, directing the officials to open all four gates of the grain markets to ensure smooth lifting of the paddy.

An official said that 1,51,757 MT of paddy have arrived in the 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 sale.

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

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