Punjab farmer receives MSP through bank account; a first

Chandigarh: A Punjabi farmer, Kashmir Singh, became the first farmer in India to receive the Minimum Support Price (MSP) payment directly through his bank account, IANS reported.

According to Punjab State Food, Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Kashmir Singh of Mohabbatpur village in Patiala district brought 51 quintals of wheat at Rajpura on March 31. The produce was cleaned and bought on April 1, the first day of procurement.

The farmer received his payment within 24 hours after the food department transferred Rs 1,02,765 directly to his bank account. Further, on arrangements of transport and labour, the minister told the media that for the first time, all the labour and transport contracts were completed way before the start of the season.

Thus, all the mandis across the state were able to be ready with adequate labour and trucks.

When asked about the slow pace of the arrival of wheat in mandis, the minister said that the crop had not ripened yet. It is expected to reach in the mandis in the Malwa area after April 6, that too insignificant quantities. Majha region will have to wait till April 12, the minister said