Direct MSP Transfer Begins in Punjab, Over Rs 13.7 Cr Paid to Farmers

NEW DELHI: For the first time the farmers in Panjab and Haryana is smiling after seeing their cultivation bear fruits in the means of DBT (direct benefit transfer) mode.

Notably, according to Food Corporation of India (FCI) data, Central government agencies have procured 18.24 lakh tonnes of wheat in Punjab and 36.30 lakh tonnes in Haryana during the ongoing rabi season till April 15.

An amount of Rs 13.71 crore and Rs 735 crore has been transferred into the accounts of farmers in Punjab and Haryana to date.

It is to be mentioned that the Centre had been pursuing DBT implementation in the two states since 2015-16, but Punjab and Haryana sought repeated exemptions.

Around 81.64 lakh tonnes of wheat, against the national target of 427.36 lakh tonnes, has already been procured. The FCI will procure the maximum 135 lakh tonnes from MP and 130 lakh tonnes from Punjab. Read more

Earlier this month, the Union Food Minister, Piyush Goyal announced on Twitter that farmers in Punjab will now become beneficiaries of the DBT scheme where they will be able to sell their produce at MSP and will have the money wired directly into their bank accounts.

"In Punjab, now farmers will get the price of their produce sold on MSP directly in their bank accounts. Like many steps taken by the government, small and marginal farmers will be benefited by this decision," tweeted Goyal.

"The benefit of this will also be available to the farmers who cultivate the land on rent. Due to transparency in the system, they will not be misled by anyone, and these farmers will also get the full price of the produce… This is a major change in the interest of farmers since independence." he added.

Further in a tweet, the minister wrote, "One Nation, One MSP, One DBT: Dalip Kumar of Rajpura, Punjab is the happiest he's ever been in his 15 years spent as a farmer after getting DBT as MSP for his crop. Modi govt. is working hard to ensure the happiness of crores of farmers across Punjab & India."

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