Centre relaxes quality norms for wheat purchase in Punjab; imposes value cut
Chandigarh, April 11: The Central Government has allowed the purchase of wheat from Punjab by relaxing prescribed quality norms. However, a value cut on the purchase of such grains has been imposed.
The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has written to the Punjab Government that they would purchase all grains coming to the market. However, there would be a value cut ranging from Rs 5.31 to Rs 31.87 per quintal.
As per the Central Government, in case of lustre loss of up to 10 per cent, no value cut in MSP will be imposed. In case of lustre loss between 10-80 per cent, a value cut of Rs 5.31 per quintal had been announced. For damage of up to 6 per cent in grains, no value cut has been imposed.
However, for shrivelled and broken grains of up to 6-8 per cent, a value cut of Rs 5.31 per quintal has been imposed. For shrivelled and broken grains of 8-10 per cent, Rs 10.62 has been imposed. For shrivelled and broken grains of 15-16 percent, a value cut of Rs 26.66 per quintal has been imposed and for 16-18 per cent value cut of Rs 31.87 per quintal has been imposed.
It is learnt that Punjab has been asked to store these grains separately.
- With inputs from our correspondent
