Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said that there is no option for the state government to transfer the purchase of crops to the minimum support price (MSP) directly into bank account (DBT) in Rabi during the current Rabi. The Rabi Marketing Session begins April 10. At the current session, the purchasing agencies, and the FCI, will pay at least Rs 1,975 per quintal.
No petrol-diesel is available in the state on Saturday, and all petrol pumps will be closed
Badal said the central government did not accept Punjab’s request for more time to implement the DBT system in this regard. Badal gave this information after a lengthy discussion with Union Food Minister Piyush Goyal. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh called a meeting with Adhatis (Commission Agents) on Friday.
Payment was made by factions
At this meeting, the MSP payment under the new system was discussed at the Wheat Purchasing session starting April 10. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the Punjab government procures wheat and rice on MSP on behalf of the central government. Currently, in Punjab, MSP is paid to farmers through factions, while in other states farmers are paid directly to their bank accounts.
The base system works in Punjab
Speaking to reporters after a two-and-a-half hour meeting, Badal said the central government has asked us to implement DBT. “We have asked for more time because the system of authority is based in Punjab, but the Government of India has not accepted our demand.” We tried hard but they didn’t listen. He said there was no other option for the state government.
We need to implement direct bank transfer right from the current session. Now a new system for payment will be implemented soon. Besides Badal, Punjab Food Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla and Mandi Board Chairman S. Lal Singh were also present at the meeting. Officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture were also present at the meeting.
