BANGALORE: The Government has issued orders for purchase of foodgrains under the minimum support price scheme for the kharif season of 2006-07 as per the recommendations of the Union Government, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Govind M. Karjol said here on Tuesday.

Mr. Karjol told presspersons that instructions had already been given that when farmers sold their produce, they should be purchased at the prices recommended. This was a measure to stabilise prices and help farmers if the market crashed.

For the first time, an incentive bonus of Rs 40 a quintal is being offered for paddy (common variety) and grade A variety.

The prices per quintal are: ragi - Rs. 540, jowar (hybrid) - Rs 540, maize - Rs. 540, paddy (common variety) - Rs. 580 plus Rs. 40 (incentive bonus) and paddy (grade A) - Rs. 680 plus Rs. 40 (incentive bonus).

Nod for intervention

Since ragi, jowar and paddy are sold through the public distribution system, the Government has permitted the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation to intervene in case of prices crashing, so that neither farmers nor consumers are affected.

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