Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) has urged the government to set up wheat procurement Mandis in all blocks and Tehsil Headquarters and other such desired localities in the entire Jammu province to give benefit to the farmers instead of middlemen.

In this regard, Congress on Saturday sought the intervention of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in setting up more wheat procurement centres in Jammu. “The government announced Rs 1,925 per quintal minimum support price (MSP) of wheat this year but the farmer is being forced to sell his wheat produce at Rs 1,500 per quintal in the absence of any procurement mandi in several districts like Rajouri,” JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said in the letter. 

He alleged that farmers are being cheated and looted by the middlemen as they are forced to sell their produce at much cheaper rates. “This is one of the main causes of the farmers' agitation against the new farm laws as it does not guarantee the return to the farmers at MSP and we are already seeing this kind of culture here,” he claimed. He said farmers have already suffered a huge loss due to heavy rains recently. “Therefore, I seek your immediate attention and action for the establishment of procurement centres at all important locations in each district so that farmers get the price of wheat fixed by the government,” he said.

Reacting to reports from different areas about the lack of such facilities by the government, JKPCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma expressed resentment over the failures of the Central and UT authorities to take the required steps for the welfare of farmers who are already suffering a lot.

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