FCI counters govt claim on procurement centres in city

New Delhi: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) on Thursday rejected the allegations of a Delhi government minister that wheat procurement centres are not operational in the national capital. It said the three procurement centres are fully functional in Delhi and have so far purchased 15.8 tonnes of wheat at MSP directly from farmers.The procurement centres have been opened at Mayapuri, Narela and APMC Najafgarh Mandi. “A series of cutouts and banners are placed at the gates of APMC Najafgarh mandi as well as at the gates of Food Storage Depot at Narela and Mayapuri, inviting farmers to sell their produce at the determined MSP for wheat procurement of Rs 1,975 per quintal,” the FCI said.The FCI said the Delhi government had requested for opening of wheat procurement centres and they accepted their request. All three centres have been operational from April 1.On Wednesday, Delhi agriculture minister Gopal Rai had alleged that the FCI’s claim that it has already set up procurement centres in Delhi was “false”.