Chandigarh, May 7- There will be no shortage of gunny bags in Haryana as railway rack from Kolkata has left for Rohtak, which would reach there today. Another rack for Sirsa has started from Kolkata today, which would reach there two-three days. Also, the state government has purchased 400 bundles of plastic bags from Jaipur, which would soon reach Haryana.
While stating this today, Mr Satpal Sangwan, Cooperation Minister, Haryana, said that this year bumper wheat crop has been recorded and many farmers from neighbouring states have reached Haryana Anaj Mandis for selling their wheat. He said that one of the reasons for the scarcity of gunny bags in the state was due to bumper crop production in Madhya Pradesh. This year Madhya Pradesh has recorded 85 to 90 lakh metric tonnes of wheat whereas a target was about 60 lakh metric tonnes. The rack, which was supposed to reach Haryana, reached Madhya Pradesh first. Also, gunny bags have been purchased from Delhi and local level.
He said that the government would not let the farmers face any loss. He said that the officials of HAFED have been directed to ensure the supply of gunny bags, wherever the shortage is felt on priority basis. He said that this year, HAFED has purchased more than 27.75 lakh metric tonnes of wheat while in the previous year, it was 24.31 lakh metric tonnes.
He said that during the current purchase season, he has himself visited 17 to 18 mandis to check the arrangements and has given necessary directions to the officials, wherever the inadequacy was felt.