Sharad price support to bumper bajra crop

Further, on-the-spot payments will be made to farmers. Since the state government has expressed its inability to make payments, the FCI is treating two state units as its sub-agents. These organisations have been asked to generate a rolling advance of Rs 5 crore each and pay farmers at the mandis. The FCI will reimburse them through cheques.

Today’s decision is the third concession provided to farmers since the bumper bajra crop was harvested. The first ‘‘political decision’’ to procure bajra came last month when the Centre fixed the minimum support price at Rs 505 and set up over 60 procurement centres. A week later, the Centre reduced the support price to Rs 500.