Lucknow, 17 June (HS) : Procurement of wheat in Uttar Pradesh this year has crossed the record figures with the daily wheat purchase limit going as high as 1.53 Lakh MT, the highest in the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season 2021-22. The total procurement under the Yogi-led government reached 55.34 Lakh Metric Tonnes which is an all time high.
“In Spite of the tough situation arising from the second wave of Covid pandemic, we are purchasing almost 1 Lakh MT of wheat every day . On June 15, the highest single day purchase of around 1.53 Lakh MT was recorded”, informed Maneesh Chauhan,Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies.
Giving the details, Manish Chauhan further added that the total purchase of worth Rs 10929.75 crore has been made from the 12,65,269 farmers. The payment is being directly credited in the farmers’ bank accounts in a smooth and hassle-free manner on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
In the Rabi marketing year, the procurement of wheat directly from farmers under the Minimum Support Price Scheme commenced on April 1, 2021. The government has increased the MSP of wheat from Rs 1,925 in 2020-21 to Rs 1,975 in 2021-22.
Huge quantity of wheat is being purchased and the procurement process is running smoothly. To ensure that farmers do not face any problem, the government has nominated seven purchasing agencies, including the Department of Food and Supplies, PCF, UPSS, UPPCU, SFC, Mandi Parishad and Food Corporation of India.
Besides, the number of procurement centers has been increased from 5000 last year to 6,000 this time.
CM Yogi has already assured the farmers that the procurement process is not limited to the mere fulfilment of the prescribed procurement target.
To eliminate the middlemen, the state government has introduced the electronic point of purchase (e-PoP) machines ensuring transparency in the purchase of wheat. Amid the rising cases of coronavirus, the arrangements regarding masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, sanitization, and others are taken care of.
