New Delhi: Haryana’s deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala on Tuesday (November 15) said that 58.59 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured in the state during the current season, far exceeding the target of 57 lakh MT.
Chautala said that nearly 98% farmers have already received the payment amounting to Rs 11,819 crore directly into their bank accounts within 48 hours of the procurement and the balance will also be cleared within this week.
The deputy chief minister, who also holds the charge of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, said although the paddy procurement target for this season given by the Centre was 57 lakh metric tonnes, the state government has procured 58.59 lakh metric tonnes till November 14, a day before procurement process is completed.
Replying to a question, Chautala said that strict cognisance has been taken after reports of wheat spoilage in previous years in Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Karnal districts.
A committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of administrative secretaries, who are senior IAS officers, and if anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken against those responsible, he said.
The spoiled wheat will be auctioned to be used as cattle feed or for such purposes and it is expected to yield over Rs 40 crore, he said.
He said that 44,700 metric tonnes of wheat got spoiled in 2018-19 and 2019-20 period due to excessive rainfall and loss of grain and this stock was kept aside after the procurement.
The committee will go into details as to who were the officers responsible and why stock was left in open plinth area and not subsequently lifted and for what reason.
As per the norms issued on February 7, 2017, 20% of the damages for rotten grain shall be recovered from the District Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Controller; 10% from the District Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Officer; and another 20% from the Assistant Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Officer, The Tribune reported.
In addition, the Inspector, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (Custodian), has to pay 30% of the damages, while Sub-Inspector, who is also the custodian, has to pay the remaining 20%.
Chautala also said that from the 2022-23 procurement seasons, Haryana has 2.74 lakh MT of wheat in its stock, all of which is stored in godowns.
(With PTI inputs)
