- Agriculture Minister Khudian leads Group of Ministers (GoMs) meeting with Federation of Aarthia Association to address their genuine demands
•Cabinet Ministers assure all necessary arrangements in grain markets for smooth procurement operations
Chandigarh, August 26:
In order to ensure smooth paddy procurement operations ahead of Kharif procurement season, the Group of Ministers (GoMs) led by Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today held a crucial meeting with Federation of Aarthia Association of Punjab to address their genuine demands and iron out concerns.
During the meeting here at Punjab Bhawan, the Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar held productive discussions with the Aarthias Association, led by President Vijay Kalra. The Ministers listened attentively to the association’s demands and concerns, and assured them to resolve all of their legitimate issues.
Addressing a key demand of the association, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana-calibrated moisture meters would be installed in all grain markets to standardise moisture measurement. This move aims to bring uniformity and accuracy in moisture content assessment.
The association has also requested specified combine harvesting hours from 10 am to 6 pm to streamline the harvesting process and manage moisture content in paddy crop.
While recognising the crucial role of Aarthias in procurement operations, the cabinet ministers said that CM Mann led Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of the Aarthias. The Cabinet Ministers also assured the association that all the necessary infrastructure, including cleanliness, availability of potable water, sheds, electricity would be in place before the Kharif procurement season begins.
Meanwhile, the Aarhtiya Association also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government for the recent 10% increase in mandi labor rates, acknowledging the positive impact of this decision on their profession.
Administrative Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Dr. Basant Garg, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Mr. Ramvir, MD PUNSUP Ms. Sonali Giri, Director Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma and other senior officers of concerned departments were also present in the meeting.
