MP govt ramps up moong procurement, orders hassle‑free purchase

Bhopal, July 31 (AHN) Madhya Pradesh Cooperation Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang on Friday directed officials to ensure smooth procurement of moong and urad crops, stressing that farmers should not face any inconvenience during the ongoing purchase season.

Chairing a review meeting of the Cooperation Department, the minister asked officials to work in mission mode to strengthen procurement arrangements, improve storage facilities and enhance cooperative banking services.

“No farmer should face any inconvenience during the procurement of moong and urad. All necessary arrangements should be made at procurement centres, and adequate availability of gunny bags should be ensured so that the procurement process continues without disruption,” Sarang said.

He instructed officials to make alternative storage arrangements wherever warehouses have reached capacity. If required, produce should be shifted to warehouses in other districts to ensure timely lifting and storage.

The minister also reviewed the progress of the Chief Minister’s Public Welfare Scheme and the “Sahkarita Mein Sahkar” campaign.

He directed officials to conduct weekly reviews to ensure time‑bound implementation of government programmes.

To strengthen cooperative banking in rural areas, Sarang asked officials to install micro‑ATMs in dairy cooperative societies in a phased manner.

He also directed cooperative banks to appoint nodal officers, introduce attractive deposit schemes and encourage cooperative societies to conduct banking transactions through cooperative banks.

“Cooperation is a strong foundation for farmers’ welfare and rural development. All schemes should be implemented in a transparent, effective and time‑bound manner,” the minister said.

The review meeting comes days after farmers staged protests in Bhopal and some other districts over delays in moong procurement. Farmers had alleged inadequate arrangements at procurement centres, shortage of storage space and delays in lifting their produce, leading to long waiting periods.

Following the protests, the state government had increased procurement of moong crop from 25 per cent to 60 per cent under the MSP rate.