Procurement hit as officials seek clearer norms

JALANDHAR/NAWASHAHR: Wheat procurement was hit in the region as officials of state agencies stopped purchases, demanding clearer guidelines about the future course of action as grains were damaged. "The moisture content is high now and due to this loss of lustre, moisture would come down during storage. Subsequently, the stocks would also lose weight," said an official of a procurement agency.
In Jalandhar, Nawashahr and Kapurthala, officials stayed away from procurement for most part of the day and there were very little purchases in the evening on Wednesday. In parts of Majha region also, the procurement was hit. However, by evening, DCs and district food and supply commissioners of the respective districts had taken up the matter with top bosses in the state, who has reportedly assured to sort out the issue at policy level, sources said.
In Nawashahr, arhatiyas blocked traffic for three hours at Chandigarh Chowk as procurement was not taking place since Monday. However, they were cajoled by officials of district administration to lift the blockade with the assurance that the matter was being taken up with the state government. DC Shruti Singh was however not available for comments.
Officials revealed that wheat would be stacked in the open and would thus be more exposed to weight loss and diseases, due to loss of luster. "When FCI moves the stocks, it will refuse to lift stocks where grains are damaged and discolored. The weight of the produce would also be decreasing and then, all the losses will be attributed to junior officials, who will have to pay from their pockets for no fault of theirs," said a senior official of a state procurement agency.
"The state government should frame guidelines relaxing the conditions, as the problems arose due to rains, so that officials are not harassed for no fault of theirs," he said.