Chandigarh, Oct 25: The Punjab government has assured farmers that every bag of paddy arriving at state procurement centers will be purchased, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterating his commitment to timely payments and a transparent buying process.
Officials said procurement has been proceeding smoothly across thousands of government-run centers this season, with no interruptions reported. The Chief Minister has directed all departments to ensure that buying continues without delay and that no farmer faces inconvenience.
“The government stands with our farmers. We will buy every single grain of their harvest and make sure they get full value for their hard work,” Mann said in a statement. “Punjab’s prosperity lies in the prosperity of its farmers.”
According to the state government, farmers are now receiving full payment within 48 hours of selling their crop, with money transferred directly into their bank accounts under a strengthened digital payment system. Officials said the process has eliminated the need for cash transactions and improved transparency.
To streamline operations, a token system and online farmer portal have been introduced, allowing cultivators to check their turn, register complaints, and monitor payment status from home. The portal, officials said, has reduced waiting times and helped manage crowding at mandis.
Farmers also reported improvements in on-ground facilities such as drinking water, shade, and seating at procurement centers. District-level control rooms have been set up to handle complaints, while officers have been instructed to conduct daily inspections.
Farmers in several districts welcomed the arrangements. Harpal Singh from Ludhiana said, “This is the first time everything happened properly. I didn’t face any trouble at the mandi.” Another farmer, Balwinder Singh from Sangrur, added that his payment arrived within three days.
Officials said the system has particularly benefited small and marginal farmers, who previously faced delays in selling smaller harvests.
Agriculture experts described the reforms as a “significant step” toward making procurement more efficient and farmer-friendly, adding that continued implementation could further stabilize Punjab’s farm economy.
