Government to procure 738 LMT paddy at the cost of Rs 1.40 lakh crore in the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 7

The government is expected to procure around 738 LMT paddy at the cost Rs 1.40 lakh crore in the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season, officials said on Wednesday.

So far, 23 per cent more paddy than last year has been procured at the MSP, as per official data.

As on October 6,  as much as 15.26 LMT paddy has been procured against 12.38 LMT last year, an increase of 23 per cent.

While 10.08 LMT has been procured from Punjab, in Haryana it is 4.92 LMT, according to official figures

“The Kharif procurement started early this year on September 26 instead of October 1 because of early arrival of grain in the market,” said Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey.

“Last year 627 LMT paddy was procured, this year it is estimated to be 738 LMT, 18 per cent more,” he said, adding, “the number of paddy procurement centres has also been increased to 39,130 (28 per cent more over last year) to facilitate farmers.”

“This year around Rs 1.40 lakh crore will be transferred to farmers in Kharif Marketing Season against Rs 1.15 lakh crore last year, an increase of 21 per cent," said Pandey.

This is the first procurement season after the Centre enacted the three agriculture Acts, leading to turmoil in Punjab and Haryana. 

Reiterating that the MSP "will remain now and forever", officials said the government would continue procuring at the MSP to fulfill its commitment under the Public Distribution System.