New Delhi: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday announced major relaxations in wheat procurement norms in view of the adverse weather conditions that have affected crop quality this year.
Gupta said that acting on a request sent by the Delhi government to the central government on April 21, special relaxations on quality standards for wheat procurement had been approved for all districts of Delhi for the Rabi marketing season 2026-27. The relaxations will be applicable from the beginning of the current procurement season.
Under the revised norms, wheat with up to 70% loss of lustre will now be accepted. The permissible limit for shrivelled and broken grains has also been increased from 6% to 15% to ensure that weather-affected produce also qualifies for procurement. However, to maintain quality balance, it has been specified that broken and slightly broken grains together must not exceed 6%.
Separate Handling and Storage
Gupta said, “Wheat procured under these relaxed norms will be handled separately. Such grain will be stored independently from regular stock, with a distinct accounting system to ensure full transparency.”
She added that this wheat would be prioritised for early utilisation and won’t be kept in storage for extended periods. The Chief Minister further stated that the grain would be used strictly within Delhi to meet local food requirements. Any deterioration in quality during storage will be the responsibility of the Delhi government, she clarified.
Commitment to Farmers
“Ensuring fair value for the hard work of our annadatas is our responsibility,” Gupta said. The move is expected to benefit thousands of farmers in Delhi who faced crop damage due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms.
The government has also put in place a monitoring mechanism to ensure that the relaxed norms do not compromise the overall quality of the procured stock. Officials have been directed to maintain detailed records and conduct regular inspections.
