Director Agriculture Jammu reviews functioning of Paddy Procurement Centres

JAMMU : To review the functioning of Paddy Procurement Mandies in Jammu District, a meeting of Stakeholders was held today here under the chairmanship of Director Agriculture Jammu, K. K. Sharma, at Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo.

Taking serious note of some irregularities, the Director Agriculture instructed the officers of Food Corporation of India (FCI) to display the Mandi Contract Order in every procurement mandi for information of the farmers and mandies must operate in accordance with terms and conditions mentioned in the contract.

Further, it was stressed that PRI members may also be sensitised about terms and conditions laid down in the contract and any deviation in terms & conditions shall be dealt under law.

The Director Agriculture strictly impressed upon the Mandi Labour Contractors (MLCs) to adhere to the terms and conditions of the contract and no charge was to be levied from the farmers who are bringing their paddy produce in the mandies.

He said that the purpose of opening these procurement centres was to save the farmers from distress sale of their produce and ensure that they get the minimum support price for their produce.

As many as 11 Paddy Procurement Centers (Mandies) have been set up in Jammu district, 11 in Kathua and 1 Samba district.

It was given out that this year a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2060/- per quintal has been fixed for Grade A and Rs. 2040/- per quintal for Common Grade Paddy by GOI.

Joint Director (Inputs), Jammu, Joint Director (Marketing), Jammu, Chief Agriculture Officer, Jammu, DM FCI, Jammu, AGM (QC) FCI, Jammu, DAO (Extension), Jammu, SDAO Marh/R.S. Pura/Akhnoor besides MLCs of Jammu district attended the meeting.