Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister reviews wheat procurement preparedness in Doaba region
Says, Government committed to ensuring payment to farmers within 24 hours of procurement
124 Lakh MT wheat expected to arrive across 1864 Mandis in the state
Chandigarh/Jalandhar, April 4:
The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister,Punjab, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak today announced that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has made extensive preparations to facilitate over 8 lakh farmers during the ongoing wheat procurement season in the state.
The Minister was chairing a review meeting with senior officials from four districts, including Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.
Speaking to the media, the Minister revealed that Punjab is set to witness a bumper wheat crop this year, with a target procurement of 124 lakh metric tonnes. He stated that the State Government has already secured a cash credit limit of Rs. 28,894 crore for wheat procurement for ensuring smooth operations throughout the season. The Minister also mentioned that 99 percent of the required bardana (sacks) has been arranged, alongside sufficient space and crates for efficient storage.
To cater to the massive arrival of crops, the Punjab Government has established 1864 purchase centres (mandis) across the state, where farmers can sell their wheat. In light of the bumper crop, around 600 temporary purchase centres have also been set up. Mr. Kataruchak assured farmers that they would receive payments within 24 hours of procurement, with the Government setting the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at Rs. 2425 per quintal.
Disclosing district-specific procurement targets, he stated that over 3.14 lakh MT of wheat is expected to arrive in Hoshiarpur, while Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar will contribute 5.25 lakh MT, 3.61 lakh MT, and 2.64 lakh MT, respectively.
The Minister emphasized the Punjab Government’s commitment to purchasing every single grain brought by farmers, stressing that no negligence would be tolerated in the procurement process. He highlighted the government’s efforts over the past three years to streamline wheat and paddy procurement operations.
In the review meeting, Mr. Kataruchak also examined facilities for farmers, including cleanliness, drinking water availability, lighting, and sheds at the mandis. He directed the officials to remain present in their respective mandis throughout the season to ensure farmers face no hardships during this period.
He further stated that Punjab is the nation’s breadbasket, expressing pride in the state’s ability to manage such a large-scale procurement operation smoothly.
