Acting on the orders of the Chief Minister, Charanjit Singh Channi, a high level review of the procurement process was held today. The meeting was chaired by Shri D K Tiwari, ACS Development.
Analysing the District wise pace of arrivals of paddy in the State, Sh Tiwari ordered the Managing Directors of the procurement agencies to regularly visit the districts and take stock of the ground level situation.
Sharing his feedback about the the pace of procurement in the districts of Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Gurdaspur, Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Mandi Board stated that the pace of arrivals was picking up and the pace of purchase was brisk. As on date only about 4% paddy had arrived in the Districts and more than Rs. 240 crore of MSP payments had been credited into the accounts of farmers.
A similar feedback was received from other MDs who stated that the earlier inclement weather had delayed the harvesting of the paddy crop and it was now anticipated that the clear weather would facilitate harvesting in most of the Districts in the days to come.
ACS Development directed the Procurement Agencies to expedite the process of allotment of Rice Shelllers and their linkage to various Mandis. He also directed that issuance of release orders to the districts, where paddy is traditionally surplus in comparison to the milling capacity available in that district, may be initiated.
Ms Neerja, ADGP, in-charge of all the various Nakas across the state, stated that all necessary steps are being taken to prevent the inflow of paddy from outside the state.
The meeting was attended by Neerja Vovoruvu, ADGP Welfare, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Secretary Food & Civil Supplies, RK Kaushik, MD PUNSUP, Varun Rioojam, MD Markfed, Arshdeep Singh Thind, GM FCI, Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Mandi Board, Abhinav Trikha, Director Food & Civil Supplies and Yashanjit Singh, MD PSWC.
