MP CM Mohan Yadav to conduct surprise checks at wheat procurement centres
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is set to conduct unannounced inspections at wheat procurement centres across the state in the coming days, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday, 29 April 2025. The surprise visits are aimed at reviewing ground-level arrangements during the ongoing procurement season and ensuring farmers can sell their produce smoothly at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
What the Inspections Will Cover
The Chief Minister is expected to visit centres without prior notice, interacting directly with farmers and procurement officials to assess whether government-mandated facilities are in place. Yadav has stated that transparency and efficiency in procurement are the administration's top priorities.
"Our priority is that farmers should not face inconvenience and procurement must remain transparent and efficient," Yadav said in the official statement.
Inspections will focus on the availability of basic amenities, adherence to prescribed guidelines, and the overall functioning of the procurement system.
Key Reforms to Ease Farmer Access
To reduce congestion and waiting times, the state government has allowed farmers to sell wheat at any procurement centre within their district, rather than being restricted to a designated centre. Basic facilities including drinking water and shaded seating areas have been arranged at all centres.
The number of weighing scales at each centre has been increased to six, with districts authorised to install additional units as required. The daily slot booking capacity has been raised from 1,000 quintals to 2,250 quintals per centre, with provision to scale up to 3,000 quintals based on demand. Procurement and slot booking activities are also being conducted on Saturdays to further ease the load.
Relaxed Quality Norms for Farmers
In a significant relief measure, the government has relaxed Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms for the current season. The permissible limit for lusterless wheat has been raised to 50 per cent, while limits for shrivelled grains and damaged grains have been revised to 10 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively. These changes are intended to ensure that a larger share of farmers' produce qualifies for procurement without rejection.
Infrastructure and Pricing at Centres
Procurement centres have been equipped with gunny bags, porters, weighing machines, sewing machines, computers, internet connectivity, and quality testing equipment. Cleaning aids such as fans and sieves are also in use.
Wheat is currently being procured at ₹2,625 per quintal, comprising an MSP of ₹2,585 and a state government bonus of ₹40 per quintal. The bonus reflects the state's effort to provide an additional cushion to farmers over the centrally determined support price.
What's Next
With the Chief Minister personally overseeing compliance through surprise visits, the administration appears intent on signalling accountability at every level of the procurement chain. How effectively these reforms translate on the ground — particularly in remote centres — will become clearer as the season progresses.