Union Government decided to relax the quality norms for procurement of wheat in Haryana

Union Government on 14 April 2015 decided to relax the quality norms for procurement of wheat in Haryana. The orders were issued by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution with immediate effects.

It was decided to procure wheat in Haryana during the Rabi Marketing Season 2015-16 with following relaxations:

(i) The limit of shrivelled and broken grains is relaxed upto 9% against the existing limit of 6% under uniform specifications with half value cut imposed in such a manner that for every relaxation of 2% or part thereof, one full value cut at 14.50 rupees per quintal will be applied.

(ii) Lustre lost wheat containing up to 10% affected kernels may be purchased without value cut.

(iii) Lustre lost wheat containing more than 10% and up to 50% affected kernels may be purchased with 1/4th of one full value cut on flat basis at 3.63 rupees per quintal.

The decision of Union Government will for some instance reduce the hardship of farmers and will avoid distress sale of wheat.

Earlier, the State Government had approached the Union Government as untimely rains and hailstorms in March 2015 widely damaged wheat crop in Haryana.

Based on the request of the State Government, Food Corporation of India (FCI) collected samples of wheat from the Mandis in association with the State Government and after examining the test results of these samples, the Union Government decided to relax the quality norms.