Congress Blocks Highway in Madhya Pradesh Over Wheat Buying Delays as Government Defends Readiness

Overview

• Youth Congress workers blocked a national highway in Shujalpur on Friday, and police used water cannons before detaining more than two dozen protesters including local MLAs.
• Madhya Pradesh has pushed back wheat procurement under the Minimum Support Price scheme, now starting April 10 in Bhopal, Ujjain, Indore and Narmadapuram, with other divisions due April 15 after earlier dates slipped from March 16 and April 1.
• Congress alleges the state sought only 2.6 crore jute sacks against a 10 crore need for packing wheat, which it links to late requisitions and advance payments required under the Jute Act.
• The state government counters that bag supplies will be sufficient, citing 50,000 additional jute sacks from the Centre and backup use of HDPE and PP bags, and it says buying will begin on the revised dates.
• The programme will pay Rs 2,625 per quintal including a Rs 40 bonus, with 19.04 lakh farmers registered, and Congress warns the delays are forcing distress sales and adding loan pressure in a key wheat-producing state.