Chandigarh, October 9, 2024: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann held a virtual meeting with Deputy Commissioners today, urging them to accelerate the procurement and payment processes for paddy across the state and ordered the Deputy Commissioners to personally visit markets and ensure smooth operations.
The Chief Minister tinted a major increase in paddy arrivals during the 2024-25 marketing season and urged for the importance of ensuring that farmers face no difficulties in selling their crops.
He stressed the need for officials to actively oversee procurement and leave no stone unturned in supporting farmers.
The Punjab government expects to purchase 185 lakh metric tons of paddy this season, with 32 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation.
Moreover, the Reserve Bank of India has approved a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of ₹41,378 crore for the state’s procurement efforts.
Mann reiterated that no delays in procurement or payments would be tolerated, instructing Deputy Commissioners to visit 7-8 markets daily to assess operations and report their findings. He also urged officials to prevent excess grain accumulation and ensure timely delivery.
The Chief Minister assured that the government has made adequate arrangements for smooth and timely delivery of crops from markets, underlining the need for daily updates on procurement activities.
