Collector inaugurates black gram procurement

The procurement would continue till April 14. The MSP (minimum support price) being offered for the black gram at the regulated market was Rs 56.75 per kg as against the open market price of Rs 44.

Further, he said, each farmer would be allowed to bring in 2,500 kg of black gram a day. Those who were willing to participate in the programme were asked to contact the nearest agriculture department office with copies of their chitta, adangal, Aadhaar card and the first page of their bank pass book. “Once enrolled in the scheme, the amount for their merchandise will be remitted into their bank,” he added. The regulated markets in both Vellore and Vaniyambadi had set procurement target of 3,500 metric tonnes of black gram before April 14. Raman was shocked when some farmers complained that the regulated market paid them only the next day after getting money from selling the collected produce to private parties. “We are thus made to waste two days unnecessarily,” farmers rued. Immediately, Raman ordered the regulated market staff to pay farmers on same day when their produce was procured.