Banga/Nawanshahr- Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, while reviewing the paddy procurement at the local grain market today, said that paddy procurement is going on smoothly in the mandis of the state and so far more than 17 lakh metric tonnes of the total 18 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been purchased.
After reviewing the procurement in the mandis, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the procurement process is going on in 1822 mandis in Punjab. He said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the procurement arrangements are being reviewed by visiting the mandis daily.
He said that all necessary arrangements have been made in the markets for the convenience of farmers, arhtiyas and laborers, due to which the procurement of crops is being ensured in a smooth manner. He said that so far, Rs 3215 crore has been paid in the accounts of farmers in exchange for the purchased crops in the state.
The Cabinet Minister said that although the farmers are facing many difficulties due to the floods in the state, the Punjab government is committed to protecting the interests of the farmers. He said that Punjab has been given a target of purchasing 172 lakh metric tons of paddy and this target will be achieved due to the hard work of the farmers of the state.
He said that the state has a CCL of Rs 27 thousand crores available and payments are being made in the accounts of the farmers within 24 hours of the purchase. He said that in view of the arrival of the crop in the state, 91 percent of the crop has been purchased. He said that clear instructions have been given to the officials that farmers should not face any kind of problem in the markets.