Onions will be available in ration shops at Rs 2 per kg

Bhopal: The Krishi Cabinet concluded here at the Mantralaya chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. It was decided at the meeting that APL ration cardholders will be also able to purchase onions at Rs 2 per kg along with the BPL cardholders from fair price shops under the Public Distribution System. Maximum 50 kg onions will be available for purchase on one ration card. The storage of onions will be near support price purchase centre. On finding irregularities and misappropriation in the purchase of onions for the welfare of farmers, a criminal case will be registered against the guilty persons and stern action will be taken against them.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that state government has taken several historic decisions in the interest of farmers. He issued clear instructions that there should be no inconvenience to farmers in purchase of onions and pulses on support price.

He said that onions are being purchased for Rs 8 per kg, so that farmers get appropriate price for their produce. Similarly, purchase of moong on support price is helping farmers get nearly Rs 1500 per quintal more than market price. He said that onions should be stored at local level. Wheat for three months should be stocked at a time under Public Distribution System. He also stressed on the need to make farmers aware of the haphazard ‘bohni’ of onions. Chief Minister Chouhan gave instructions to prepare strategy for advising farmers on the basis of market possibilities.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that the work of onion purchase is in progress in state on war footing. So far 2 lakh 75 thousand metric tonne onions have been purchased by farmers which will continue till June 30. Similarly, 31 thousand 700 quintal arhar from 49 centres, 48 thousand 747 quintals of moong from 62 centres, 13,669 quintals of urad from 38 centres and 915 quintals of Masoor from 20 centres has been purchased on support price.

Those present at the meeting of Krishi Cabinet included Finance and Commercial Tax Minister Jayant Kumar Malaiya, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargav, Forest, Planning, Economic-Statistics Minister Dr. Gaurishankar Shejwar, Water Resources Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra, School Education Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Farmer-Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Gaurishankar Bisen, Revenue, Science and Technology Minister Umashankar Gupta, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Gramodyog Minister Antarsingh Arya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Narmada Valley Development and General Administration Lalsingh Arya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism Surendra Patwa, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Cooperatives, Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Vishwas Sarang and Chief Secretary B.P. Singh besides additional chief secretaries of related departments, principal secretaries and secretaries.-WTN