SRINAGAR, JUNE 15: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Mr. Zulfkar Ali today said the Government indentified 16 places in Jammu for establishment of mandies for wheat and paddy procurement after due consultation with various legislators and stake holders.

In a review meeting attended by MLAs Marh and Bishnah for establishing of mandies here, the Minister instructed that the mandies should be established at Channu Chak, Gajansoo, Parladpur, Pargwal, Jourian, Bishnah, R S Pura, Ramgarh, Sanji Morh, Nagri Parole, Bajwal, Bishnoh, Sherpur, Arina, Vijaypur, and Marh.

Urging Food Corporation of India (FCI) to ensure that the mandies are established well in time, the Minister asked FCI to establish the mandies by October 07, 2016.

He also instructed Agriculture Production Department to provide all the logistic and infrastructural support to FCI in the procurement process by October 01, 2016.

The Minister said that welfare of farmers is the top priority of Government and every effort would be made to ensure that they get due for their hard work. He stressed on FCI that farmers should not suffer and should be provided with “Reasonable Minimum Support Price.”

General Manager, FCI, Secretary CA&PD, Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Director CA&PD, Jammu, along with other officers attended the meeting.