Wheat procurement to stop in Haryana amid COVID-induced lockdown

In a move to contain the exponential surge in COVID cases, the Haryana government has decided to stop the procurement of wheat in all mandis in the wake of lockdown in the state from May 3-9. 

“During lockdown, no procurement of wheat will be initiated in any mandis/procurement centres of the state and no gate pass shall be issued (to the farmers) for the same,” the official statement read, reported PTI. 

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The government appealed all the farmers to stay at home, to not step out until essential and follow all COVID norms.

Amid the huge rise in COVID cases, the Haryana government announced a one-week lockdown in the entire state beginning from May 3. 

Before the decision was made, weekend curfew was already put in effect in nine districts- Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula, Sonipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Hisar, Sirsa and Fatehabad. 

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In the statement, the government also gave the particulars related to wheat procurement. The statement said that out of 83.53 lakh tonnes of wheat had been procured until May 2, 80.52 LMT was procured by the state. 

So far, an amount of Rs 9,270 crore has been transferred directly to the accounts of farmers whose crop has been procured, it said.