Directs zero tolerance towards any laxity
More than Rs. 5600 crore credited into accounts of farmers
Chandigarh, October 24:
The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is sparing no effort to ensure that the Paddy procurement season 2024 – 25 progresses in a smooth and hassle free manner and no laxity in this regard would be tolerated.
Taking stock of the procurement in a review meeting here at Anaj Bhawan, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak was apprised by the senior officers of the department that the procurement season is fast gaining momentum with each passing day.
It was also brought to the notice of the Minister that the smooth pace of the procurement season can be determined from the fact that the season this year was delayed by one week but despite that till now approximately 38.41 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) Paddy has arrived in the mandis of Punjab with daily arrival of 4.88 LMT. The total lifting has been 10.25 LMT and daily figure touching 2 LMT mark. More than Rs. 5600 crore have been credited into the accounts of the farmers. Whereas during the previous year when the arrival was 38 LMT the lifting figure touched around 10 LMT mark with daily lifting coming around to 1.34 LMT. The payments then were pegged at mere Rs. 5066 crores.
Hence, this year inspite of the season beginning late, the speed of Government procurement, lifting and payments is certainly much more than the past year.
The Minister was further apprised that in some districts of Malwa region, the arrival has been a little less but the millers are on board with the Government and the moment the arrivals gain momentum the procurement would ultimately be on much faster track.
Likewise, it was brought to the attention of the Minister that out of the total 5037 mills, 3297 have applied for registration and 2670 mills have been allotted.
Calling the Farmers, Millers, Arhtiyas and the Labourers the backbone of the procurement season, Mr. Kataruchak exhorted them to work in cohesion and coordination to ensure a successful procurement season.
On the occasion, Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Vikas Garg, Director Puneet Goyal, Joint Director Ajayveer Singh Sarao and General Manager (Finance) Sarvesh Kumar were also present.
