New Delhi:Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary said that the farmers will be paid within three days of their crops purchased by the government.
The Minister has also asked the states to make proper arrangements for procurement.
The government procurement of wheat in many states, including Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, has started from Wednesday despite a nationwide lockdown. Haryana has announced to start purchasing mustard first and then wheat from April 20.
Choudhary told a news agency that during the period of coronavirus crisis, the Central government stands with the farmers and many decisions have been taken in their interest.
He said earlier there used to be a delay of a month in making the payment to the farmers from the time of purchase of the crops, but now they will get the price of their produce within just three days and in this regard, the state governments have been asked to send reports soon.
Read:Not a grain will be left behind: Punjab CM on wheat procurement amid COVID-19
Choudhary said, "The Prime Minister has said that no work of farmers will be stopped and they are allowed to continue with their work." He said that to carry out the procurement of Rabi crops smoothly, the government asked the states to make necessary arrangements for the same at the panchayat level and the agency from whom they would like to make the purchase. But they will have to follow the instructions regarding social distancing because it is necessary to stop the transmission of COVID-19.