Centre relaxes wheat procurement norms for Punjab after rain damage

The Centre has relaxed wheat procurement norms for Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026–27 following crop damage caused by untimely rains and hailstorms across several districts. The decision is aimed at easing procurement and preventing farmers from being forced into distress sales.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi said the request for relaxation was received from Punjab on April 9, after which teams were sent on April 10 to assess crop damage across districts before the Centre approved the revised norms.

Under the revised specifications, the limit of lustre loss in wheat has been relaxed up to 70 per cent , while the permissible level of shrivelled and broken grains has been increased to 15 per cent , compared with the earlier limit of 6 per cent. In addition, damaged and slightly damaged grains together can now be up to 6 per cent , allowing procurement agencies to accept weather-affected produce.

The move follows significant crop damage caused by unseasonal rain during the harvesting period , which led to shrivelled and discoloured grains and delayed harvesting by around 10–15 days in several districts, particularly in the Malwa belt . About 1.3 lakh acres of wheat crop are estimated to have been affected.

Despite the relaxation, the Centre clarified that procurement will continue at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹2,585 per quintal , ensuring that farmers receive the full support price for their produce.

Wheat procured under the relaxed norms will be stored separately and liquidated on priority , with any deterioration during storage to be borne by the Punjab government .

Procurement had slowed in several mandis as agencies hesitated to buy grain failing to meet Fair Average Quality (FAQ) standards , leaving large quantities unsold.

Farmer organisations had announced a statewide ‘rail roko’ protest , but after the Centre’s decision they agreed to temporarily suspend the agitation and review procurement progress .

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress criticised the AAP-led Punjab government, alleging it delayed seeking relaxation while Haryana and Rajasthan had secured concessions earlier.

Punjab minister Lal Chand Kataruchak directed officials to ensure lifting within 72 hours and payment to farmers within 48 hours . Punjab, a major contributor to the central wheat pool , is expected to see procurement pick up as mandi arrivals increase .