The Government
procurement agencies including FCI will procure bajra in Rajasthan
with 7.5 per cent slightly damaged/discoloured grain instead
of 2.5 per cent provided in the uniform specifications. This
decision was taken on the recommendations of a two member central
team deputed by the Ministry of Food to make an on the spot
assessment of the situation of bajra crop in Rajasthan. The
procurement agencies have already commenced procurement of slightly
damaged/discoloured grain up to 5 per cent to mitigate the hardship
of farmers in Rajasthan. Further relaxation upto 7.5per cent
in the procurement norms was announced by Shri Sharad Yadav,
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution while
speaking to media persons here today.
The procurement
price of bajra on relaxed specifications will be Rs. 495 per
quintal involving a nominal value cut of Rs. 10 per quintal
from the earlier announced MSP (Minimum Support Price) of Rs.
505 per quintal. However, this price is Rs. 15 per quintal higher
than the MSP announced during the last Kharif Season. The Government
of India will be opening 75 centres for procurement of bajra
in Rajsthan of which 25 will be operated by FCI. It is expected
that over one lakh tonnes of bajra will be procured in the state.
Central Government will procure maize also in Rajasthan at the
earlier announced MSP of Rs. 505 per quintal.
The centre has
supplied 32 lakh tonnes of wheat to Rajasthan free of cost under
Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) to tackle the drought
situation. This is in addition to over 10 lakh tonnes of wheat
supplied to the State during 2002-03 under the Targeted Public
Distribution System and Other Welfare Schemes.
