Mumbai: The Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Thursday demanded immediate start of government procurement centres as traders are looting farmers in purchase of tur and chana (gram) by offering very low rates. “As the Government procurement centres are shut, farmers are falling prey to the designs of traders in tur and harbhara purchase,” Vikhe Patil said.
The Congress leader was speaking after tabling adjournment motion in Assembly. “In this season, after soybean and udid, the government has created a mess in the procurement of tur and chana. The purchase has reached the lowest due to shortage of godowns, trying conditions in procurement and delay in payment of farmers’ produce. According to NAFED figures, only 27 percent of tur has been purchased. The Central Government has granted permission to Maharashtra for the purchase of 4.46 tonnes of tur. But till March 16, 2018, only 27.3 percent of the target i.e. 1,22,453 tonnes of tur has been purchased. On the other hand, purchase of harbhara (gram) has not even reached 1 percent. Till March 16, only 218 tonnes, i.e. 0.07 percent gram has chana has been purchased,” Vikhe Patil said.
“This year the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of tur is Rs 5,450/quintal. But the farmers are receiving far lower rate than MSP from the beginning. Similarly, the MSP for harbhara this season is Rs 4,400 per quintal. But the rates have crashed in market. Hence the government should immediately start procurement centres and provide justice to farmers,” Vikhe Patil demanded.
