After schools, SGPC may ease potato glut

Chandigarh, The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is considering asking its affiliated gurdwaras and educational institutions across the state to procure potato directly from farmers at a rate of Rs 4-5 per kg.
The move is aimed at helping the distressed farmers who have been selling their produce at Rs 2 per kg or lesser. SGPC chief secretary Harcharan Singh said, “The government proposal of getting potato supply for the mid-day meal from farmers sent a very positive signal. I discussed it with Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and we are considering applying it to gurdwaras and other institutions.”
He said a majority of SGPC institutions were buying potato from the open market at Rs 8 per kg on an average.

The government has asked schools to procure potato directly from farmers, after the intervention of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. It has also written to jails. Punjab produces 25 lakh tonnes of potato. Only about 8 lakh tonnes has been sold to date, since November.
In an interesting development, Assam has approved Rs 5 per kg MSP for potatoes.