Chandigarh, Mar 12 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today appealed to the Union Government to raise the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat from the existing Rs 750 per quintal to Rs 900 per quintal.

The Chief Minister made this appeal while reviewing the arrangements for wheat procurement in the forthcoming rabi procurement season.

He directed the functionaries of the Food and Civil Supplies department and the heads of the procurement agencies to undertake the procurement as per their allotted share so that every grain of the farmer was lifted.

He said that he had impressed upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to New Delhi to immediately announce an increase in the MSP of wheat from Rs 750 per quintal to Rs 900 per quintal.

The Chief Minister was of the view that the entire procurement process which is expected to commence on April 1, should be over by May 31.

He told the officers of the food and supplies department that no laxity on their part would be tolerated and asked them to chalk out a strategy for the smooth procurement well in advance ahead of the procurement season.

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