Principal Secy visits grain markets, inspects paddy procurement

Our Correspondent

Jind, October 5

Principal Secretary, Science and Technology Department, Ashok Khemka today visited the grain markets in Uchana and Narwana towns of the district. The state government had appointed Khemka as the nodal officer for paddy procurement in the district.

While interaction with officials of the procurement agencies and commission agents, Khemka said: “The state government has decided Rs 1,510 and Rs 1,470 as the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy and no one should buy the crop below these rates.”

He said the government had decided to purchase paddy having the moisture content upto 22 per cent and the procurement agencies should not ignore the directions. “The rate of paddy will depend upon the moisture content and the government will issue a notification in this regard soon,” he said.

Khemka asked the officials should check the moisture from different heaps of the grains so that the actual level of moisture could be recorded. He made it clear to the officials that he would not tolerate cheating and misbehaviour with farmers at any cost.

Khemka said: “Earlier, traders refused to buy paddy with 17 per cent of moisture, but now they have to purchase the crop having moisture content upto 22 per cent.” He asked the commission agents to have necessary equipment for cleaning of the grains.