Surge in COVID-19 cases, number of Purchase Centres likely to increase: Chief Minister 

Procurement to commence from April 1

• More than 1800 Centres were set up last year
• Ensure 100 per cent crop registration on MFMB portal, directs Chief Minister
• Chandigarh, March 19: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today said that keeping in view the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases, like last year, the number of procurement centres is likely to be increased so as to ensure hassle free procurement that is commencing from April 1, 2021.
• During this year’s procurement process, the State Government has decided to ensure 100 per cent transfer of direct online payments in the accounts of the farmers. Last year, the State had transferred more than 50 per cent of the payments directly to the accounts of the farmers and the rest of the payments were made through Arhtiyas, shared the Chief Minister.  He said that the officers concerned should hold timely talks with the Arhtiyas regarding the same.
• The Chief Minister said this while presiding over a review meeting regarding COVID-19, vaccination, procurement and other issues with Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners, Senior Superintendent of Police, Municipal Commissioners, Senior and Chief Medical Officers,  District and State Chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) through video conferencing here today. Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij also attended the meeting through Video conferencing from Ambala.
• The Chief Minister while directing the officers concerned said that as the harvesting season is also nearing therefore adequate arrangements should be made to ensure hassle free procurement.
• “In view of the increasing COVID-19 cases, health safety arrangements as earlier should be made to minimize health risk to those engaged in procurement operations.  The Deputy Commissioners should ensure that COVID-19 Safety Protocols are strictly followed at each procurement Centre,” directed Sh. Manohar Lal.
• The Chief Minister also directed the officers to strengthen the Mandi system along with making timely arrangements for the availability of labourers, ensure adequate number of weighing scales, gunny bags, sewing machines, etc. in the Mandis.
• The Chief Minister further directed the Deputy Commissioners to issue advance directions regarding timely lifting of the crop, smooth functioning of the procurement process  and to ensure that no Arhtiya or farmer faces any problem.
• “Suitable transportation arrangements should be made for lifting of the crops from the Mandis on time and if any transporter fails to lift the crops within 48 hours, then the Deputy Commissioners should remain ready with any alternative transport arrangements, directed Sh. Manohar Lal.
• The Chief Minister further directed that every Deputy Commissioner should ensure 100 percent crop registration including the registration of vacant agricultural land on “Meri Fasal Mera Byora”.
• Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education and Research Department, Sh. Alok Nigam, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Sh. Devender Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sh. Rajeev Arora, Additional Chief Secretary, School Education Department, Sh. Mahavir Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer, Ayushman Bharat Haryana Health Protection Authority, Smt. Amneet P. Kumar, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Smt. Ashima Brar, Director Urban Local Bodies Department, Sh. Ashok Kumar Meena, Mission Director National Health Mission, Haryana, Sh. Prabhjot Singh, Director General of Police, Sh. Manoj Yadava and other senior officers were present in the meeting.