Amritsar, November 7
During an overview of the procurement and mandi system in the state, Dr SP Sarvanan, National Board of Director, Food Corporation of India (FCI), said the procurement of paddy was already completed up to 90 per cent as per the targeted allocation given to the FCI and approximately 65,801 MT of paddy was procured by the FCI in Amritsar division.
“The operations have been undertaken within the prescribed guidelines of the Government of India and the payments to the farmers have been made through arthiyas under the APMC provision of the Government of Punjab,” he said.
Talking about the farmers’ protest, he said, farmers were opposing the laws basically on the grounds of insecurity for non-payment of MSP. “It appears that the agitation of farmers is not limited to farmers only, as the involvement of middleman in the agitation cannot be ruled out,” he said.
Besides, there is also a need for the rationalisation of production of crops in Punjab, he said, adding that it was strongly felt that policies be implemented for motivation of other crops in a segregated manner. — TNS
