In a pro-farmers’ initiative, Punjab launched a digi-locker facility for its farmers — becoming the first state in the country to do so.
Now, farmers in Punjab have an option to print or download digital copies of their J-Forms in the state, as the Punjab Mandi Board has made the electronic format of J-Forms available, from the current wheat procurement-2021 season onwards.
“The step would digitally empower farmers paving the way to ensure real time access to authentic digital sale receipt of their agriculture produce. Nearly 10 lakh J-form holder farmers are registered with the Mandi Board during the current rabi marketing season,” said Punjab Mandi Board chairman Lal Singh.
Singh said that with the implementation of this step, if any farmer forgot the registration form at home or the document gets misplaced or the farmer is waiting for the delivery of the printed copy, they just need to download the app DigiLocker and save their virtual J-Form.
“The form, thus saved, is absolutely valid and can be shown at the time of checking,” said Singh adding that the moment an applicant’s J-Form is approved by arhtiya, he or she gets a message on phone about the approval which can be downloaded in the app.
He said that digital J-Form in Digi Locker could be used for raising finance from financial institutions; can be remotely verified online, IT waivers, subsidy claims, farmer insurance etc.
Punjab Mandi Board secretary Ravi Bhagat said that now the farmers need not carry the plastic cards or physical copies. “A letter has already been issued by Mandi Board to all Secretaries of Market Committees of Punjab to sensitize the checking staff of various departments in this regard,” said the Secretary while asking the officials to ensure that “virtual” J-Forms on smartphones will be authenticated on the spot verification.
Bhagat said that the information regarding allowing ‘virtual’ J-Forms should be put on the notice boards of the Market Committee offices in the State to inform the general public.
