Centre relaxes wheat procurement norms for Punjab

Chandigarh: The Centre has allowed relaxation in uniform specifications of wheat for central pool procurement during the ongoing rabi marketing season in Punjab and Chandigarh following crop damage due to recent untimely rains.The limit of lustre loss wheat has been relaxed up to 70%, shrivelled and broken grains up to 15% (against the existing 6%), while damaged and slightly damaged grains together will not exceed 6%.Farmers had been demanding relaxation, especially after similar measures were announced for Haryana and Rajasthan earlier this month.In a communication dated April 17, the Union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution said the relaxations were approved "to reduce the hardship of farmers and to avoid distress sale of wheat" in Punjab and Chandigarh.However, the Centre has placed the financial and operational burden on the state govt, clarifying that any implications due to the relaxation will be borne by Punjab. Wheat procured under relaxed norms will be stacked separately and liquidated on priority, with responsibility for any deterioration in storage resting with the state.The demand for relaxation was driven by unseasonal rain and hailstorms before harvest, which led to significant lustre loss and an increase in shrivelled grains. The move ensures farmers receive MSP of Rs 2,585 per quintal despite weather damage.The decision follows similar relaxations for Rajasthan (April 9) and Haryana (April 15), after a deadlock over grains not meeting Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms triggered farmer protests.Weather disruptions caused widespread lodging across nearly 1.3 lakh acres, particularly in the Malwa belt, delaying harvesting by 10–15 days.The Food Corporation of India (FCI) had recommended the relaxation after field assessments.Union minister Pralhad Joshi said the request was received on April 9 and teams were sent on April 10 to assess the situation before approval.Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.