Chandigarh, Oct 3: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has written an urgent letter to Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, requesting the immediate movement of central foodgrain stocks from the state. The Chief Minister emphasized that clearing 6 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of rice by October 10 and 15 LMT of wheat during October is critical to freeing up space in rice mills and grain markets (mandis) ahead of peak paddy arrivals.
According to state government communications, nearly 17 LMT of wheat procured during the previous season remains stored at rice mills and market yards due to slow lifting rates by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Chief Minister Mann noted that only 8.30 LMT of rice and 4.30 LMT of wheat were moved out of Punjab in September, falling short of requested targets. State officials maintained that failure to clear the existing stocks promptly could prevent farmers from unloading fresh produce, disrupt milling operations, and potentially create law-and-order concerns during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2026–27.
