NewKerala.com

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Ensures No Wheat Procurement Centre Closes Early

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired a high-level review meeting in Kota to strengthen wheat procurement at Minimum Support Price. He directed that no procurement centre be closed until the district's overall procurement target is completely achieved. Birla issued firm instructions to accelerate the lifting and transport of wheat, resolve gunny bag shortages, and improve mandi facilities for farmers. Officials from FCI, Rajfed, and district administration attended the meeting to coordinate on meeting procurement goals.

Key Points: Om Birla Reviews Wheat Procurement, Directs No Centre Closure

  • Boost wheat procurement at MSP
  • Accelerate transport & unloading from warehouses
  • Ensure uninterrupted gunny bag supply
  • Simplify farmer-friendly procedures
  • Enhance mandi facilities like water & shade
2 min read

No procurement centre to close until district target is met: LS Speaker​

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chairs review meeting, directs officials to keep all wheat procurement centres open until district targets are fully met.

"no procurement centre should be closed until the district's overall target is fully achieved - Om Birla"

Jaipur, April 21

To strengthen wheat procurement at the Minimum Support Price in the Kota-Bundi region, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting at the CAD Auditorium with officials from the Food Corporation of India, Rajfed, Tilamsangh, NCCF, and the district administration in Kota.​

Birla directed all agencies to increase procurement targets at mandis and procurement centres, stressing that no farmer arriving to sell wheat at the Minimum Support Price should be turned away. He categorically instructed that no procurement centre should be closed until the district's overall target is fully achieved.​

With wheat arrivals expected to rise sharply in the coming days, Birla called for accelerating lifting (transport) and unloading of wheat, increasing labour deployment at Food Corporation of India warehouses, and ensuring vehicles are not held up outside warehouses for more than two days.​

He also directed Rajfed and Tilamsangh to coordinate with the Food Corporation of India to move wheat to railway yards once rake-level quantities are reached, enabling faster bulk transportation.​

Taking a firm stand on logistics, Birla said procurement must not suffer due to a shortage of gunny bags (bardana). He instructed officials to ensure the uninterrupted availability of gunny bags in the Kota-Bundi region, fast-track tendering, issue work orders without delay, and replace any defective gunny bags supplied to procurement agencies.​

He also spoke with senior officials, including Cooperation Secretary Samit Sharma and Food Secretary Ambrish Kumar, and directed the immediate resolution of the issue.

Birla instructed Rajfed Managing Director Saurabh Swami to keep all procurement centres operational until the district-wide target is met, even if individual centres achieve their own targets earlier.​

He further emphasised simplifying procurement procedures, improving the flow of arrivals at mandis, and ensuring a seamless, farmer-friendly process.​

To enhance on-ground arrangements, Birla directed increasing the number of weighing scales at centres, providing tarpaulins, shade, and drinking water in mandis, and ensuring smooth and transparent procurement operations.​

During the meeting, Food Corporation of India General Manager Vijay Chaudhary informed that comprehensive arrangements are in place to meet procurement targets in the Kota division.

He added that both railway rakes and road transport are being used to move wheat.​

Senior administrative officials, public representatives, and officers from the Food Corporation of India, Rajfed, Tilamsangh, the Cooperation Department, and the Food and Civil Supplies Department attended the meeting.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Good to see a focus on logistics like gunny bags and transport. These are the real bottlenecks that cause farmer distress. The instruction to not hold up vehicles for more than two days is crucial. Let's see if the local officials can execute this efficiently.
A
Ananya R
Finally, someone talking about basic facilities! Providing tarpaulins, shade, and drinking water in mandis is so important, especially in this Rajasthan heat. Our farmers deserve dignity while they sell their hard-earned produce. A much-needed directive.
V
Vikram M
While the intentions sound good, I'll believe it when I see it. Every year we hear about such review meetings and directives, but on the ground, farmers still face delays and harassment from middlemen. The proof will be in the procurement numbers and farmer feedback this season.
K
Karthik V
Coordinating between Rajfed, FCI, and Tilamsangh is key. Often, one agency blames the other for delays. Birla's firm stand on gunny bag supply is the right move. Bardana shortage has ruined many a farmer's day. Hope this meeting translates to action.
P
Priya S
Ensuring a "seamless, farmer-friendly process" should be the norm, not an exception. The directive to simplify procedures is welcome. Many of our farmers are not highly educated and get confused by complex paperwork. More such proactive steps are needed across all states. 👍

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50