Increased Participation of Women Self-Help Groups in Wheat Procurement; Registration Open until May 5

As per the directives of the Madhya Pradesh government, women self-help groups (SHGs) and village organizations are being included in wheat procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to strengthen their financial position. Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection Minister Shri Govind Singh Rajput informed that the process of assigning procurement tasks to women's groups has been finalized, and necessary guidelines have been issued.

Guidelines for Women SHGs in the Procurement Process:

The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), the following criteria have been set for women self-help groups and village organizations to participate in the procurement process:

1. The group must be registered for at least one year (before January 1, 2025).
2. A minimum balance of ₹2 lakh should be maintained in the bank account.
3. The group should have conducted regular meetings over the past year.
4. All members and office bearers of the group must be women.
5. No irregularities should have been found in past procurement activities.
6. The recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat is mandatory for assigning procurement responsibilities to the groups.

Required Documents for Women SHGs:

Women self-help groups willing to participate in the procurement process must submit the following documents:

1. Registration certificate
2. Bank statement for the past six months
3. Records of meetings held in the last three months
4. Proof of availability of the required funds
5. Other relevant documents

The participating SHGs will be provided an honorarium for computer operators, along with commission and other expenses as per the guidelines set by the Government of India.

Over 1 Million Farmers Registered for Wheat Procurement:

Minister Shri Govind Singh Rajput also announced that 10,20,224 farmers have registered to sell wheat at MSP. He urged all eligible farmers to complete their registration by March 31, 2025. Wheat procurement will take place at 2,648 centers, with a price of ₹2,600 per quintal (MSP ₹2,425 + ₹175 state government bonus).

Registration Open until May 5 for Wheat Procurement:

Wheat procurement commenced on March 15 and will continue until May 5. Farmers who have not yet registered can do so online or at authorized centers by March 31. They must book an online slot for selling their produce. Procurement centers have been equipped with tents, seating arrangements, drinking water facilities, fans, weighing machines, computers, and cleaning machines to ensure a smooth process.