Babain (Kurukshetra): Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said the state govt has introduced several new initiatives to make the crop procurement more transparent, secure, and farmer-friendly. These measures, he noted, are aimed at enhancing accountability, curbing irregularities, and ensuring faster and more convenient services for farmers.The CM was speaking during his visit to the grain market in Babain, where he reviewed the ongoing wheat procurement process. He emphasised that the govt has made a three-tier crop verification system mandatory to ensure that the produce brought to mandis matches the crop registered by farmers. This, he said, has significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of procurement operations. Upon his arrival at the Babain mandi, CM Saini, accompanied by his wife and Haryana State Child Welfare Council vice-chairperson Suman Saini, was welcomed by Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena and other officials. During his visit, Saini interacted with farmers to understand their experiences regarding bringing crops to the mandi, selling procedures and payment systems. Reaffirming the govt’s commitment, CM Saini said that every grain produced by farmers will be procured with full transparency and accountability. He added that extensive reforms have been implemented in the procurement system, including the appointment of nodal officers at each mandi and assigning senior officials to monitor operations at the district level. Deputy commissioners have been made responsible for overseeing procurement arrangements, while ministers and MLAs are regularly visiting mandis to ensure smooth functioning. Highlighting technology-driven reforms, the CM said Aadhaar-based biometric verification has been made mandatory to confirm farmers’ identities. Additionally, up to three nominated individuals are allowed to complete biometric verification on behalf of farmers for convenience. To improve traceability and accountability, recording vehicle numbers and photographs of vehicles and loads has been made compulsory while issuing entry gate passes. However, in cases where vehicle numbers are unavailable — such as with very old or new vehicles — gate passes can now be issued based solely on vehicle photographs, he said. Saini added that farmers are being paid Rs 2,585 per quintal — the minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat — through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into their bank accounts. Wheat procurement has been ongoing since April 1 across the state. He also informed that all mandis and warehouses have been brought under geo-fencing to strengthen location-based monitoring and prevent unauthorised activities. Portal open to register crop loss due to rain, hailstorm Addressing recent crop damage, CM Saini said that rainfall on April 6, 7 and 8 affected crops in parts of Kurukshetra, Hisar, Sirsa and Fatehabad districts. A dedicated portal has been opened for farmers in these districts to report losses and seek compensation. The affected areas include six villages in Kurukshetra, nine in Fatehabad, 10 in Hisar and two in Sirsa, with further action being initiated in other impacted regions. MSID:: 130193306 413 |
