*Timely Lifting of Procured Crops Being Ensured*

*Keep Strict Vigil on Bajra and Paddy Arriving from Other States: Chief Minister*

*Government Will Procure Every Single Grain from Farmers at MSP*

Chandigarh, October 9: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed district officials to closely monitor the ongoing crop procurement process in the state and maintain strict vigilance over bajra and paddy arriving from across the state’s borders.

The Chief Minister was issuing directions to district officials through a video conference after a review meeting of the Samadhan Cell in Chandigarh on Friday. He directed officials to ensure the procurement of paddy with a moisture content of 17 per cent, as per the prescribed norms. He said the state government was committed to procuring every single grain brought by farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and ensuring timely payment for their produce.

The Chief Minister said nodal officers had been appointed in every district to monitor mandis and conduct physical verification. These officers are working to facilitate farmers and ensure strict compliance with the guidelines issued for the procurement process. To ensure smooth and transparent procurement, mandis have been geo-tagged and equipped with CCTV cameras. He also directed officials to seize vehicles transporting paddy and bajra from other states for sale in Haryana and maintain strict surveillance over inter-state vehicle movement.

The Chief Minister further directed officials to ensure the timely lifting of procured crops. He particularly stressed expediting the lifting process in the mandis of Kaithal so that farmers do not face any inconvenience while bringing paddy to the mandis. Officials informed the Chief Minister that four locations had been designated for unloading paddy at the Cheeka mandi. In response, he directed them to find an appropriate solution to designate a single location for unloading paddy.

Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Dr. Yashpal, informed that, besides paddy, approximately 1.75 lakh units of bajra had arrived in the state. He added that Rabi crops were being procured at MSP in the state's mandis and farmers were being paid on time. Necessary directions had also been issued to ensure the timely lifting of procured crops.