Yogi govt to purchase wheat directly from farmers

The move is aimed at placating farmers who are agitating against farm laws and also to ensure that they get MSP for their produce. 

UP Food Commissioner Manish Chauhan said in an official statement that the wheat purchase will start from April 1 on the fixed MSP of Rs 1,975 per quintal this year. 

For farmers selling wheat, it will be mandatory to register on the website of the department, which has been started. Farmers can register themselves on their own or through cyber cafes and public convenience centres, he said. 

The official said that a total of 6,000 purchasing centres are proposed this year, including those of the food department and other purchasing agencies, where wheat will be procured from farmers. 

The purchasing centres will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

For the convenience of farmers, an online token system has been arranged under which farmers will be able to get tokens for the sale of wheat at the purchasing centre as per their convenience. 

Geotagging of the purchase centres is being done by the remote sensing application centre to help farmers get the location and address of the centres. 

For ensuring transparent procurement, wheat procurement will be done through 'Electronic Point of Purchase' and the facility of nominee has also been arranged for the convenience of the farmers. 

If a farmer is unable to come to the purchasing centre himself, he can nominate a member of his family. The nominated member will have to be mentioned in the registration form. Aadhaar authentication of the nominated member will also be done, he added.