India, April 17 -- In a major relief to wheat farmers, the Centre on Friday approved a significant relaxation in wheat procurement norms for the current rabi marketing season.

Announcing the decision, Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi posted on X: "This decision is aimed at reducing the hardship for our farmers who have faced the brunt of untimely weather. By easing these norms, we ensure that every grain produced with hard labour finds a buyer at a fair price."

The relaxed specifications are applicable with immediate effect and are retroactive to the start of this rabi season, providing a much-needed safety net for the region's agricultural economy.

The relaxation of quality norms was a key...