wheat is rotting in the open fields or in the godowns while government is siezed of the question as to how to deal with the surplus.
let me take you back in time when wheat was as scarce in india as honest politicians are now. the government wanted us - the hapless officers - to procure wheat and that too at prices which farmers considered ridiculous. but even so we dreamed of happy ending. a dream is described here.
Wheat Procurement – a fantasy
(In 1964, the Government ordered that the wheat should be procured from the farmers. The price offered was low. The difficulties met are mentioned here but you have to spot (sic) them.)
I slept and dreamt that I went for procurement of wheat
Whole process was so fast and clean and neat
All the netas behaved so well
I did not have to shout and yell
Rousing welcome I received wherever I went
Sacrifice was the watchword whenever wheat they sent
Nobody questioned the rate given or the treatment
Nobody talked about his expenses or his requirement
Sarpanch and cultivators, I did not have to invite
Cause they were already there when I arrived
Hearing the sound of jeep, they ran to the market place
All the panchas and kisans were real pictures of grace
Some gave two bags and some gave four
And all were asking if they could give more
Naib tahsildars did not have to use words strong
No one, not even Bhunas, gave them a chance
Collector did not have to give up his rest or his game
Wheat came pouring in whatever figure he did name
Happy were all officers, big or small
And Gautam Sharma was the happiest of them all.
(Bhunas is a village in Harda tahsil. It was the most difficult nut to crack.
Gautam Sharma was the food minister) ¼gjnk & 1965½