Payments over Rs. 20,000 Crore credited into accounts of 4.71 lakh farmers
Chandigarh, October 29:
In a significant achievement, Government procurement of paddy has crossed 101.96 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) in the mandis of Punjab.
Not only this, payments worth Rs. 20713.24 Crore have also been credited into the accounts of over 4.71 lakh farmers.
This was disclosed by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak in a meeting held to review the paddy procurement season currently underway in the State.
The lifting stands at 70 Lakh Metric Tonnes which comes around to 86 percent from the point of view of 72 hour cycle.
Also, more than 2500 mandis are operational for the smooth conduct of procurement process and the produce of the farmers is being procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2461 Per Quintal.
Pointing out further, Mr. Kataruchak said that the State would comfortably achieve the procurement target of 180 Lakh Metric Tonnes.
The Minister further exhorted the officers of the Department to ensure that no paddy from outside the State gets sold in the mandis and strict vigil must be maintained in this regard to protect the interests of the farming sector.
The State Government is duty bound to procure every single bale of grain produced so labourously by the farmers, added the Minister.
The Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tiwari, Director Varinder Kumar Sharma, Additional Director Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar and Ajayveer Singh Sarao & General Manager (Finance) Sarvesh Kumar were also present on the occasion.
