Chandigarh/Jalandhar, Apr 4 — Punjab has geared up to procure an estimated 124 lakh metric tonnes of wheat during the current Rabi marketing season, with over 8 lakh farmers expected to participate in the process across 1,864 mandis.
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, after a review meeting with officials from Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, said the government has ensured all arrangements are in place.
“Punjab is fully prepared to manage this bumper crop. We’ve secured a cash credit limit of Rs 28,894 crore, and 99 percent of the bardana has been arranged,” he told reporters.
Kataruchak announced that farmers would be paid within 24 hours of wheat procurement, with the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed at Rs 2,425 per quintal. “We are committed to buying every single grain that reaches the mandis. No negligence will be tolerated,” he said.
Of the total expected arrival, Jalandhar is projected to contribute 5.25 lakh MT, Kapurthala 3.61 lakh MT, Hoshiarpur 3.14 lakh MT, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar 2.64 lakh MT. To accommodate the crop load, about 600 temporary purchase centres have been added this year.
During the meeting, the minister also reviewed infrastructure readiness at mandis, including drinking water, lighting, sheds, and cleanliness. He directed officials to remain present on-site throughout the procurement season.
“Punjab is the country’s breadbasket, and we take pride in handling such a large-scale procurement operation efficiently,” Kataruchak said, adding that the Mann-led government has worked steadily over the last three years to improve both wheat and paddy procurement systems.
