Priyanka Gandhi writes to UP CM Yogi, alleges lack of wheat procurement to farmers

In a major development, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, raising the issue of alleged lack of wheat procurement for the farmers in the state which is only 14 percent whereas, in Punjab and Haryana, it is apparently 80-85 percent.

While sharing her letter on Twitter, she said, "According to reports, only 14% of the total wheat produced in UP this year has been procured by the government. The purchasing centers of the villages are closed and less wheat is being procured from the farmers. My letter to give relief in procurement and increase the date of wheat procurement to farmers suffering from backbreaking inflation and COVID-19."

In a letter to CM Yogi, Priyanka wrote, "I am constantly getting information from all the districts of the state that wheat farmers are facing a lot of problems in procurement. Wheat procurement started in April, but due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the lock on the purchase centers kept hanging. As soon as the farmers started reaching the purchasing centers of wheat, at the same time the procurement was reduced to half."

"In states like Punjab and Haryana, the government procurement of wheat accounts for 80-85 % of the total production, whereas in Uttar Pradesh, only 14% of the wheat produced at 378 lakh metric tonnes has been procured at government centers. Many farmers have not been able to sell their wheat. Now, due to the government decrees, the officers are reluctant in purchasing wheat from the farmers at the purchasing centers," she added.

Highlighting the problem faced by farmers due to rains, she further stated, "You said that you will give the facility to purchase wheat till the last farmer. But in many villages, the purchasing centers have closed and farmers are being forced to go to distant mandis. It is raining incessantly in many parts of the state, there is a danger of rotting of wheat due to moisture. In this situation, the farmers will be forced to sell their hard-earned sweat at a throwaway price."

In the letter, Priyanka urged the UP CM for three things:

• The wheat procurement of farmers should be guaranteed till July 15 at the purchasing centers.
• Arrangement of procurement should be ensured at each purchasing center so that farmers do not have to get stuck for batching their grain.
• With immediate effect, the maximum purchases should be made from the farmers.