Hoshiarpur- Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Monday said that the state has witnessed a bumper wheat crop this season, hence the central pool target of 124 lakh metric tonnes of wheat can be achieved without any hitches.
The minister assured that the Punjab government will compensate all losses of farmers. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has already directed the Deputy Commissioners to investigate the damage caused to crops due to the recent windstorm, short circuit and hailstorm.
While reviewing the ongoing procurement with MLA Karambir Singh Ghuman at Dasuha Grain Mandi, the Minister said that till now 37 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has arrived in the mandis across Punjab, out of which 33.50 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has been procured and Rs 3200 crore has been paid into the accounts of the farmers. The Minister said that he visited the mandis of the state to inspect the ongoing procurement and found that the procurement of the crop is going on smoothly as the state government has ensured elaborate arrangements.
Referring to the payment to the farmers, Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the state government is making payments within 24 hours of procurement and there is no delay in lifting the crop. The Punjab government has received a cash credit limit of Rs 28894 and there will be no delay in the payment. He said that the farmers will not face any problem as all the facilities and preparations had been completed in advance. He said that the concerned officers, procurement agencies and other stakeholders have been asked to make adequate arrangements including necessary gunny bags, tarpaulins and crates so that the crop can be protected in case of bad weather.
Speaking about the arrival of the crop in the district markets, the Minister said that till date 22898 metric tonnes of wheat has arrived, out of which about 21521 metric tonnes has been purchased and Rs 25.54 crore has been paid into the accounts of the farmers.