Jammu: The opening up of seasonal Wheat Procurement Centres (Mandis) by Food Corporation of India (FCI) was discussed today here at a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Regional General Manager, FCI, Sandeep Deora, Divisional Manager, FCI Ravi Shastri and I/c Chief Agriculture Officer, Jammu S. K. Langer.
The Div Com asked the FCI authorities to immediately establish and operationalize the Wheat Procurement Centres (Mandis) at different locations in Jammu, Samba and Kathua Districts so as to ensure that the farmers get the Minimum Support Price of Rs. 1840/- per quintal announced by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (GOI).
It was informed that Wheat Procurement Centres (Mandis) would be opened at 19 locations in Jammu, Samba and Kathua Districts by the FCI in accordance with the decisions taken in the meeting of J & K State Kisan Advisory Board held on April 16, 2019.
Regional General Manager, FCI apprised that three Wheat Procurement Centres at Marh, Pargwal and Jourian in Jammu District have started functioning. Similarly, One Wheat Procurement Centre at Kesso Manhasan in Samba District and two centres at Bhajwal and Chann Arorian in Kathua District have been set up.
The Divisional Commissioner called upon the participating agencies to put in place foolproof system well in time through their coordinated efforts to provide maximum benefits to the farmers. He also gave instructions to the Deputy Commissioners to further instruct SDMs to check exploitation, if any, by the local flour mill owners and ensure that the farmers are not forced to sell their produce (wheat) in distress below the MSP.