<span style="color: #222222;">Union Government has decided that the procurement of paddy under Minimum Support Price operation will commence from 11th of this month in Punjab and Haryana.<br />''<br />''Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry has advised all agencies to gear up to help farmers.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br />''</span><span style="color: #222222;">The Ministry said, widespread rainfall has been experienced across Punjab and Haryana during second fortnight of September this year.Untimely showers have affected the standing paddy crop in both the agrarian states.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br />''</span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />''The maximum temperature at most of the places has also been recorded below normal due to downpour.The Ministry said, because of the untimely rains, maturity of paddy grains is delayed.<br />''<br />''State Government of Punjab and Haryana have also been requested to advise their agencies to dry the paddy already arrived and further produce may be brought to the mandi after proper drying.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br />''</span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />''The decision to start the procurement of Paddy under MSP from 11th October in Punjab and Haryana is in the overall interest of farmers and consumers</span><br />