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While the usage of electronic modes to transfer the minimum support price (MSP) to farmers is to check diversion and avoid delays, the new system would not end the current practice of crop procurement through mandis and middle-men called Arthiyas, the ministry said.
A day after the Union Food Ministry pushed Punjab and Haryana to make e-payment of MSP directly to farmers from the next procurement season starting April 1, the Centre on Friday asserted this measure wouldn’t affect the current practice of crop procurement through mandis and arthiyas (middlemen). The government also maintained that no further relaxation would be granted to both states on full MSP payment to farmers through electronic mode. In Punjab and Haryana, the Centre and state agencies procure their quota of foodgrain largely through a network of mandis and middlemen, which a section...