Mumbai, May 3 (PTI) The Maharashtra government is mulling a law to make purchase of agriculture produce by traders below the MSP (Minimum Support Price) a punishable offence.

Chairing a meeting here today of the government officials and various agencies to discuss the structure and modalities for framing a group farming policy, the chief minister directed the officials concerned to draft a law to this effect.

“Fadnavis asked officials to draft a law to make purchase by traders of agriculture produce below the MSP a punishable offence,” said an official in the Chief Minister’s Office.

The CM also asked to bring a group farming policy for the final approval before the stat Cabinet at the earliest.

“One-stop shops (will) be opened at the sub-divisional level, which will offer guidance, solutions to farmers for dairy, cold chain, warehousing,” the official quoted the chief minister as saying.

At the meeting, some agencies, SHGs like PepsiCo and Jethro gave presentations and made suggestions.

State ministers Girish Mahajan, Subhash Desai, Sadabhau Khot attended the meeting.

Source: http://www.india.com/news/agencies/maha-planning-law-to-make-agri-purchase-below-msp-an-offence-2096088/