Chandigarh, July 29:-
In a significant relief to the state arhtiyas, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is all set to bring One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to reduce the burden of interest and penalties on shops and plots allotted to them in mandis (Grain Markets) across the state, announced Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, who is also Head of Group of Minister constituted to further streamline paddy and other Kharif crops procurement to ensure a hassle-free experience for state farmers.
The OTS scheme of Punjab Mandi Board is expected to benefit a large number of arhtiyas, enhancing their financial stability and contributing to the overall growth of the agricultural sector in Punjab.
The Arhtiyas on the occasion said that the payment rate of loading the produce in the mandis has not been increased since many years. They demanded an increase in the same to which the Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Varinder Kumar Sharma replied that the approval with regard to the same has been given by the Government of India and the notification would soon be issued.
Notably, CM Mann led Punjab Government has constituted a Group of Ministers, comprising Agriculture Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian as Chairman, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Sh. Lal Chand Kataruchak, Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar and Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal as members to ensure smooth procurement of Kharif crops.
