UNPURCHASED WHEAT LESS THAN DAY’S ARRIVAL
TIMELY PAYMENTS AND LIFTING
MDs TO TOUR DISTRICTS FROM MONDAY
Chandigarh, April 11:
The wheat arrivals across the state are beginning to show a surge in some districts. Disclosing this today Lal Chand Kataruchak, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister, stated that timely purchase has commenced in every Mandi where any farmer has brought his produce. All arrangements of Bardana, Mandi labour and transportation are adequate across the state, he said.
Commenting on the pace of purchase, he said that 5.5 Lakh MT of wheat has already arrived across the State and 4.3 Lakh MT stands purchased. Today 2.6 Lakh MT of wheat arrived in the Mandis and by the end of the day today only 1.2 Lakh MT remained unpurchased across the State. This, he said, clearly shows that in many Mandis wheat is being cleaned and purchased on the date of arrival itself.
Responding to a query about the transportation facilities, he said that the government has fixed a norm of lifting of wheat within 72 hours of purchase. While the State Agencies had procured 26,872 MT of wheat by 7th April i.e. 72 hours earlier, already 67,449 MT stands lifted from the Mandis. This clearly indicates that transportation is happening at a faster pace then what has been mandated by the State Government, he added.
Giving details of the MSP payments he said that more than Rs. 9 crore had already been released directly into the accounts of the farmers and another Rs. 133 crore has been approved for payment and would be released once the Banks open on Monday.
The Minister said that he was personally keeping a close eye on the procurement activities and all the Managing Directors of the Procurement Agencies had been directed to start touring the Mandis from Monday onwards. He reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to purchase every single grain produced with the sweat and toil of the farmer.
