Patna: Union Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said that if the state moves a proposal for procurement of pulse and edible oil seeds from farmers, the Centre will give its approval within 24 hours, provided the state selects an agency for the work.

The Union minister was responding to a question at a media interaction on the agitation by farmers of Mokama over non-availability and distress sale of pulse and edible oil seeds produced my them.

The minister said procurement of 27 lakh metric tonnes of pulses had taken place last year. He, however, remained mum on whether the Bihar government had sent such a proposal to his department.

Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaring a "historical hike" in Minimum support Price (MSP) of foodgrains, he said the Niti Ayog will send a proposal on the mechanism in implementing new MSP rules in which the farmers will get 50 per cent more than the cost involved. He claimed the costs include agricultural inputs, human labour and rent of leased land. "Once the proposal comes, I will go with it in the cabinet," he said.

The minister said increase in MST was in accordance with the Prime Minister's promise to double farmers' income by 2022. He said the government was also working on a new market structure for agricultural products so that farmers are able to get appropriate prices. It includes establishing 22,000 rural markets. He said after the Modi government came to power in Delhi, a number of steps were taken for the benefit of farmers. BJP workers felicitated the minister at the party's state office.