HAFED chairman Kailash Bhagat, who proposed a Rs 10 increase as an additional incentive for wheat farmers a few days ago, has suddenly reversed his position on the topic.

The HAFED chairman had offered farmers relief by announcing that commercial purchases of wheat crop will begin, ensuring additional benefits for farmers, but retracted his decision on Friday evening.

Notably, while visiting grain markets in several districts in Haryana, Bhagat said in Kaithal district on Friday that HAFED will acquire wheat crop at a commercial price that is Rs 10 higher per quintal than the government’s minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,125.

When approached, Bhagat stated, “We were hoping to give Rs 10 extra per quintal to wheat growers who bring better quality wheat to grain markets. However, due to lustre loss, in which the grain loses its lustre, they were unable to provide a higher-grade wheat crop. As a result, the decision has been reversed for the time being.”

Farmers, on the other hand, claimed that it was all a ruse to appease the farming community by making a phoney declaration.

Wheat harvest lifting from grain markets is exceedingly slow, and payment within 72 hours of procurement proved to be a bogus promise,” stated Azad Palwan, a farmer unionist from Jind.

The recent rain and hail storm have harmed crops, and the state government should offer farmers with relief as soon as possible.