Haryana ropes in ration depots for procurement

Haryana Economy

Haryana has roped in ration depot holders and farmer producer organisations (FPOs) by offering them temporary licence of commission agents to deal with the boycott of procurement by arhtiyas over the direct payment to farmers.
Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture, Haryana, said payment through arhtiyas was unjustified as 75 per cent of the 10.66 lakh farmers had opted for direct benefit transfer (DBT) to their accounts.
Arhtiyas are cooperating with the government in most districts. Only some districts like Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Kaithal and Sirsa were epicentres of the boycott. DCs are told to issue temporary licences to depot holders (PDS ration shop owners) and FPOs. A list of 380-odd active FPOs has been supplied to the DCs.
Temporary licences of commission agents to depot holders and FPOs were issued in Karnal, Kurukshetra, Jind and Sirsa districts. They will be paid 2.5 per cent commission, as applicable for the arhtiyas.
Ashok Gupta, state president of Haryana Arhtiya Association, however, said their association would continue with the boycott.
“While asking farmers to register on Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal, the government gave the option for direct payment or payment through arhtiyas. But now, the government is not allowing a choice to the farmers,” he said.
Meanwhile, around 10,000 quintals of wheat had been procured in Karnal district till late evening despite the boycott by the arhtiyas.