Chandigarh, Sept. 25 -- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday chaired a review meeting over the procurement of bajra and paddy crops.

He also gave necessary directions to officials regarding area verification under Meri Fasal-Mera Byora, registration of rice millers, arrangements required at mandis for the procurement of bajra and paddy, and setting up additional procurement centres as per requirement.

Saini said farmers in Haryana will be ensured a payment of Rs 2,900 per quintal for bajra under the 'Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana'.

An official statement said, "Saini directed officials to strictly curb attempts to bring bajra from other states and sell it in Haryana".

Saini said bajra is being sold at a much lower price in neighbouring states compared to Haryana. Therefore, strict action would be taken against attempts to bring bajra from neighbouring states into Haryana for sale.

He directed that, with the assistance of the district administration and police, it should be ensured at the borders of neighbouring states that bajra from other states does not enter Haryana. Officials informed the chief minister that last year, the government had initially fixed the procurement rate for bajra at Rs 2,150 per quintal and later increased it to Rs 2,200 per quintal.

The difference between the procurement price offered by the government and commission agents and the MSP of Rs 2,900 per quintal was separately compensated by the government.

This year, bajra is being sold in the open market at an average rate of Rs 2,235 per quintal.

On this, Saini said the government would ensure that farmers in Haryana receive the minimum support price of Rs 2,900 per quintal for bajra.

This time, the government would procure bajra at the rate of Rs 2,300 per quintal. If farmers get a higher price in the open market, the difference between the sale price and the minimum support price of Rs 2,900 per quintal would be compensated by the government.

He said that procurement of bajra and payment under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana would be ensured on the basis of records entered in Meri Fasal-Mera Byora and the J-Forms issued.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.