Wheat norms eased further for Haryana, 3 other states

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 20

Facing protests, the government today provided further relief to farmers affected by the recent heavy rains and hailstorm, relaxing quality norms for procurement of wheat in Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

The value cut for shrivelled and broken grains were reduced further on requests from the four states, the Food Ministry officials said, adding that it had been decided not to impose much value cut in respect of more shrivelled and broken grains.

According to the specifications released today, Rs 3.63 per quintal will be deducted on wheat having shrivelled and broken grains above 6 per cent up to 8 per cent and in the case of wheat having shrivelled and broken grains above 8 per cent up to 10 per cent, value cut will be Rs 7.25 per quintal.

Value cut in respect of luster lost grains will remain the same as specified earlier on April 8. The government said the value cut would be applicable from the date of relaxation allowed. All other conditions will remain the same.

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms witnessed from February-end have damaged rabi (winter sown) crops in about 113 lakh hectares in 14 states. Total cultivable area in rabi season stands at 600 lakh hectares and wheat is a major rabi crop.

The Centre has fixed wheat procurement target at 30.05 million tonnes in 2015-16 marketing year (April- March) as against 28 million tonnes bought by the FCI last year.

Wheat production is likely to fall by 4-5 per cent from the initial estimates of 95.76 million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June) due to unseasonal rains.