The Centre has relaxed the uniform specifications of wheat for central pool procurement in Punjab and Chandigarh (UT) during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27. The move will help save farmers from distress sales after untimely rainfall damaged the crop across the state.

The government has relaxed the limit of lustre loss in wheat to 70 per cent in the entire state and the Union Territory with immediate effect, following a request from the Punjab government. The limit of shrivelled and broken grains has been relaxed to 15 per cent against the existing limit of 6 per cent. Both damaged and slightly damaged grains together shall not exceed 6 per cent.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Food and Public Distribution (Storage and Research Division), in a letter dated April 17, informed the authorities in Punjab and Chandigarh about the decision.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) also recommended the relaxation. A team of FCI officials was in the state just two days ago to assess the ground situation following widespread damage due to unseasonal rains.

The letter, signed by Joint Commissioner (S&R) Vishwajeet Haldar, stated that the crop was affected in all districts of Punjab and Chandigarh (UT).

The letter makes it clear that wheat procured under these relaxed norms will have to be stacked and accounted for separately. Any deterioration in the quality of such stock during storage will be the sole responsibility of the state government and the Chandigarh administration. These stocks will be liquidated on an overriding priority basis.

The Centre has also put the entire financial and operational burden of this relaxation on the state government. “Any financial or operational implications due to this relaxation will be the responsibility of the State Government,” the letter said.

The communication was sent to the Additional Secretary, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Punjab, and the Secretary, Department of Food and Supplies, Chandigarh. Copies have also been marked to the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of FCI and other senior officers.

Procurement under the relaxed norms will start soon, said the officials. The farmers had earlier given a rail roko call to protest against the delayed relaxation. However, it was deferred on Friday.