Punjab Moves To Remove Middlemen In Food Procurement

CHANDIGARH -Punjab haslaunched a newscheme underwhich farmers would have the option of being paid directly fromgovernment procurement agencies, bypassing the role of middlemenand helping relax the vice-like grip of commission agents onthe system. The move, which is seen as farmer friendly, will helpdilute the role of arthiyas (middlemen) who dominate the food procurementsystem in one of the country’s most prosperous farmstates. It comes ahead of the looming national elections in 2014.Punjab has joined states such as Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarhwhich have unveiled measures to shut out middlemen, help farmersand streamline the procurement process.