Direct wheat payment to farmers put on hold

Sushil Manav

tribune news service

Chandigarh, April 30

Following the intervention by CM Manohar Lal Khattar, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department on Monday put on hold its decision to transfer the payment of wheat directly to farmers’ accounts through RTGS instead of giving it to arhtiyas.

The decision had created uproar among arhtiyas across the state. They alleged the government was out to ruin their business and began strike on Monday.

Media Advisor to CM Rajiv Jain confirmed that looking into the demands of the traders, the Chief Minister had ordered the old system of payments through arhtiyas to continue for the rest of the procurement season.

On April 27, the department had issued orders stating that wheat payment in 11 districts of the state, where grains from Uttar Pradesh and other neighbouring states was arriving, would be transferred directly to farmers’ accounts.

The letter issued on behalf of the Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, said that after detailed deliberations with the procurement agencies and other stakeholders it was decided in the interest of the farmers to immediately stop the procurement of wheat arriving from UP, Punjab and Rajasthan by making payments directly to farmers through RTGS.

The letter directed the district food, civil supplies and consumer affairs controllers (DFSCs) of 11 districts to transfer payments of wheat into the accounts of farmers after checking their documents like revenue records, Aadhaar, ration card and voter card etc.

Bajrang Dass Garg, president of the Haryana Vyapar Mandal, who also gave the call for Monday’s strike, said, “If the payments are made directly to the accounts of farmers, arhtiyas will not be able to recover the amount paid in advance to them.”

Ram Niwas, Additional Chief Secretary (Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs), clarified the objective of the order was to stop the arrival of wheat from Uttar Pradesh, but now the department had put it on hold.

He, however, said that strict vigil would be maintained on wheat arriving from neighbouring states.

“Wheat is sold in UP at a rate of Rs 200 to Rs 300 less than the MSP. Hence, some unscrupulous traders close to neighbouring state are indulging in trading. This is illegal because the government pays MSP for the benefit of farmers and not for arhtiyas to indulge in profiteering,” he said.

Meanwhile, 78.91 lakh MT of wheat had been procured in various grain markets of the state till Sunday.

Agents protest

Kaithal: Commission agents boycotted the sale of wheat to government agencies here on Monday to protest the introduction of e-trading. Some purchased stock of wheat was not lifted. — OC

Arhtiyas to restart procurement

Karnal: The commission agents on Monday withdrew their strike over direct payment of wheat to the farmers through RTGS after a meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Arhtiyas led by Vinod Goel told the CM that they would suffer financial losses if the amount was transferred directly to farmers as they had made advance payment to them. “The CM has assured us to take the decision back,” said Vinod Goel. “After receiving the letter, we have taken back our strike and all the arhtiyas will restart wheat procurement,” said Rajneesh Chaudhary, president Karnal Arthiyas’ Association. TNS

from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2rbPZEj