The Centre on Monday announced that the procurement of rice across the country would begin two days ahead of schedule. The crop’s purchasing usually begins on October 1.
The government’s decision is being seen as a signal to farmers who are strongly protesting the new farm laws. The Centre had already advanced the procurement dates in Punjab and Haryana – two states where the protests are particularly intense.
“The procurement of Paddy during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has just started from 26th September, 2020 and upto 27.09.2020, 5,637 MT [million tonne] having MSP [Minimum Support Price] value of Rs. 10.53 crore at MSP of Rs 1,868 per quintal has been procured from 390 farmers of Haryana and Punjab,” the government said in a statement. “The procurement of paddy for the remaining States will commence from 28.09.2020.”
Last week, the Centre had also…