Chandigarh, April 19: Punjab Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak stated on Sunday that the state has successfully procured more than 24 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat out of the 28 LMT that has arrived in various markets so far. During an inspection at Dana Mandi Tanda, the Minister affirmed that the procurement process is functioning without interruption and that the government remains on track to meet its total target of 122 LMT for the season.
To date, approximately Rs 647 crore has been credited directly into the bank accounts of farmers as part of the payment process. The Minister affirmed that the state administration is dedicated to purchasing every grain brought to the markets, with payments typically being processed within 48 hours of procurement. Accompanied by MLA Jasvir Singh Raja Gill, Kataruchak initiated the procurement for local farmers and noted that lifting operations are also gaining momentum.
Robust arrangements have been made in the mandis regarding procurement to ensure the farmers encounter no difficulty in selling their crops, the Minister declared. He stated that the government has secured all necessary resources, including labor, transportation, and packing materials, to prevent delays. Furthermore, the Minister addressed recent crop damage caused by unseasonal rains, stating that special assessments are underway and the state will compensate affected farmers for their losses.
The Punjab Government would ensure hassle-free procurement and prompt lifting of the produce like previous year, MLA Jasvir Singh Raja Gill asserted during the visit. He maintained that the administration remains focused on the interests of the farming community. In Hoshiarpur district alone, 78 mandis are currently operational, with officials expecting a total arrival of 316,000 MT of wheat.
