Farmers Movement Archive

Wheat procurement set to start at 6,000 centres

Lucknow: Reiterating that his government was committed to provide adequate compensation to farmers for their produce, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed officials to put in place all measures for a seamless procurement of wheat from April 1. He was presiding over a review meeting at his official residence in Lucknow. The state government will be procuring wheat through 6,000 purchase centres. Yogi categorically directed officials to ensure availability of infrared thermometers and pulse oximeters at all purchase centres in the wake of a spike in the number of Covid cases in the state. Yogi said that his government has been procuring farmers’ produce at a minimum support price (MSP) since 2017. His stand gains significance in the light of prolonged stir by farmers who have been accusing the ruling BJP dispensation of bringing in new farm laws to do away with MSP. “The way farmers have been given the benefit of MSP in the last four years would continue in 2021-22,” Yogi said at the meeting, which was attended by senior officials, including chief secretary RK Tewari and agriculture production commissioner Alok Sinha. Yogi asked officials to ensure that farmers are not forced to wait to sell their produce at the purchase centres. At the same time, proper facilities like sitting arrangement and drinking water be made available to the farmers reaching the centres.

The Times of India

2021-03-31

Lucknow