DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday opposed the Centre's scheme to make a direct online payment of the MSP to farmers' bank accounts, bypassing arhtiyas, for the crops to be procured by the government from the next Rabi season. Opposing the Centre's Direct Bank Transfer scheme for farmers, Chief Minister Singh wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to ask the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to defer the implementation of the scheme for at least a year. Singh said he has written a letter to the Prime Minister seeking early resolution of the matter in view of the upcoming Rabi season. He said he has also sought time from Prime Minister Modi for a meeting on the issue, the Punjab government said in an official statement. "The arhtiyas (commission agents) and farmers have long-standing relations," said the Punjab CM, questioning the need to change the system which, he claimed, was "working very well". "Around 50 per cent farmers give their land on contract, so how will those who till the land get their money under DBT?" the government's official statement also asked, quoting the chief minister. In his letter, Amarinder Singh drew PM's attention to the Union ministry's directions, asking the Government of Punjab to ensure direct payment to farmers along with online submission of the details of landowners and cultivators. (editor@dailyworld.in)