To ensure smooth paddy procurement operations in the state grain markets, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Ravi Bhagat today visited mandis in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts. During his visit, he interacted with farmers and other stakeholders to enquire about their issues related to purchase, if any.
After inspecting procurement arrangements in Jandiala Guru, Bhagtanwala, Khadoor Sahib and Tarn Taran Mandis, Mr. Bhagat said that the targeted procurement of paddy in the state is 170 LMT during ongoing Kharif Marketing Season. He also informed that in the current Kharif season, 3.97 LMT of paddy has arrived in the state mandis so far, of which 3.52 LMT stands procured across the state, as against about 13.45 LMT arrived during the last year. He further said that the procurement operations would continue till the end of November.
Reiterating firm commitment of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi of procuring every single grain of the farmers’ produce and lifting besides ensuring strict adherence to the prescribed norms of timely payment to the farmers, Secretary Mandi Board urged to the farmers to bring their produce within specifications of moisture content laid by the Government of India.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bhagat also appealed to the farmers not to burn paddy residue and instead use subsidized agri-machinery for in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy straw.
Mr. Bhagat also pointed out that if any of the stakeholders was facing any hardship related to procurement operations, they could contact their respective market committees and State Control Room setup at Mandi Board Headquarters, Mohali to get their issues and complaints addressed promptly.
He also reviewed the ongoing procurement with Officers of Amritsar and Tarn Taran besides District Mandi Officers.
