Officials warned over non-payment of farmers' dues

VARANASI: Non-payment of dues to farmers at some wheat purchasing centres of Pradeshik Cooperative Federation (PCF) in Ghazipur district came to light. Divisional commissioner Chanchal Kumar Tiwari asked the district magistrate of Ghazipur to fix accountability and take action against PCF officials.
A meeting was held to review progress in wheat purchasing in the four districts of the division on Friday evening.Farmers did not receive payments at Muhammadabad tehsil of Ghazipur.
An official of PCF tried to justify that it was due to delay in opening the bank account. The justification failed to satisfy the authorities and they were warned laxity will be tolerated in payment to farmers.
Tiwari warned against the presence of middlemen at wheat purchasing centres and instructed the officials to ensure presence of employees so that farmers do not face problems.
Purchase of 1,134 metric tonnes of wheat so far in the division was found to be insufficient. The officials were directed to accelerate the process.
Farmers will receive the support price of wheat at the rate of Rs 1,350 per quintal in their bank accounts directly. Notices about online feeding of information regarding purchase and payment have been made available through information science centres.
A target to purchase 1,71,500 metric tonnes of wheat has been fixed by the government for Varanasi division. Of which, 19,000 mt is for Varanasi ,59,500 mt for Chandauli, 46,500 mt for Jaunpur and 46,500 mt for Ghazipur.
As many as 252 purchasing centres have been opened in the Varanasi division of which 31 are in Varanasi district, 61 in Chandauli, 87 in Jaunpur and 73 in Ghazipur district.