Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed district officials to closely monitor the ongoing procurement of paddy and bajra, with particular attention to crops brought from neighbouring states for sale in Haryana mandis.
During a review meeting held through video conferencing on Friday, October 9, Saini instructed officials to monitor inter-state vehicle movement and seize vehicles transporting paddy or bajra from other states for sale in Haryana, according to the state government’s statement.
He said the government would procure every grain produced by farmers in the state at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and ensure timely payment for their crops.
What Are The Rules For Paddy Procurement In Haryana?
Saini directed officials to ensure that paddy meeting the prescribed norms, including a moisture content of 17%, is purchased.
The government has deployed nodal officers in every district to oversee procurement and conduct physical verification. Officials have also been instructed to follow the prescribed procurement guidelines and ensure that farmers do not face unnecessary difficulties at mandis.
Geo-tagging and CCTV cameras have been introduced at mandis to strengthen monitoring of the procurement process, the government said.
Why Has Haryana Tightened Checks On Paddy And Bajra From Other States?
The state government has directed officials to maintain strict surveillance on crops brought across state borders for sale in Haryana’s mandis.
The instructions include monitoring vehicles carrying paddy and bajra from other states and taking action against vehicles found transporting such produce for sale in the state, as outlined in the government statement.
The aim is to monitor procurement and ensure that the process follows the prescribed rules. The statement did not provide figures on seizures or the quantity of produce suspected to have been brought across state borders.
Why Has Saini Asked Officials To Speed Up Paddy Lifting In Kaithal?
The Chief Minister stressed that procured crops must be lifted from mandis on time so that farmers can bring fresh produce without facing space constraints.
He specifically directed officials to accelerate lifting operations in Kaithal’s mandis. Delays in moving procured paddy can create congestion and make it harder for farmers to unload incoming crops.
Officials also informed him that four locations had been designated for unloading paddy at Cheeka mandi. Saini directed them to work out a suitable arrangement to designate a single unloading location.
How Much Bajra Is Arriving In Haryana’s Mandis?
According to Chief Minister’s Deputy Principal Secretary Dr Yashpal Yadav, nearly 1.75 lakh units of bajra were arriving in the state’s mandis, as stated in the government release.
The release did not specify the measurement unit alongside this figure, so the quantity should be confirmed with the department before publication.
The state government said procurement of the relevant crops was being carried out at MSP and that directions had been issued to ensure timely payments and efficient lifting.
