In a relief for 'moong' growers, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday announced that his government would pay up to Rs 1,000 per quintal for compensating farmers who are selling their crop below the MSP in the market.
The announcement came after some reports suggested that the 'moong' (green gram) was being sold at a rate less than the minimum support price of Rs 7,275 per quintal. Mann said he has given directions in this regard to the finance department. ''In the last few days, questions have been raised on the quality of moong crop,'' said Mann in a video message.
He said if a farmer sold a crop at Rs 7,000 per quintal, then the state government will pay Rs 275 to him and the crop was sold at Rs 6,500 per quintal, the government will pay the difference of Rs 775. If a farmer sold the crop at Rs 6,000 per quintal, then he will be given Rs 1,000 a quintal, said Mann. He further said he has already approved relaxation in existing specifications for the purchase of damaged 'moong' crop. Announcing relaxation in specification for buying crop, Mann said the maximum limit of unripe, shriveled or immature crop has been enhanced from 3 per cent to 8 per cent, 3 per cent to 6 per cent for damaged crop and 4 per cent to 7 per cent for slightly damaged crop.
The CM said as he had requested farmers to grow 'moong' crop, it was his duty that farmers should not suffer losses. Mann, later in a statement, said there was a total arrival of 2.98 lakh quintals of moong crop in 2021-22 and this year the crop's arrival is expected to be 4 lakh quintals. He said 'moong' was sown over 1.25 lakh acres of land this year.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal asked the AAP government to procure the entire 'moong' crop arriving in the state 'mandis' at the MSP as well as compensate farmers for the loss suffered in selling short to private players by July 10. In a statement, Badal said, “We want a clear cut directive to the state agencies to purchase all 'moong' arriving in state mandis as per the MSP. We also want the government to compensate farmers for the losses suffered by them in selling their produce to private players. This can be done through the 'Bhavantar' Scheme which is being implemented by Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.'' In case the government does not do this, the SAD would launch an agitation to secure justice for the farmers of the state, said Badal.
CM LAUNCHES HONEY COATED ‘CORN FLAKES’ PRODUCED BY MARKFED
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday launched Honey coated ‘Corn Flakes’ produced by MARKFED. Releasing the product on Cooperation Day, the Chief Minister described it as a historic and path breaking initiative by MARKFED to produce this high quality product in the state.
He said that the products of Markfed were renowned all over the world, due its good quality and mouth watering taste. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann said that continuing its spree to provide quality goods to the people the MARKFED has now launched the Honey coated Corn Flakes which will be beneficial both for farmers and consumers.
