Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal inspects mandis in Ajnala

Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal reviewed the progress of paddy procurement in the grain markets of Ajnala here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, he accused the Central government of not making arrangements for emptying the godowns and shellers in time.

Farmers of Punjab have been deliberately made to face inconvenience, he said, adding that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Chief Secretary and the Food Supply Minister and the department secretaries concerned have been continuously taking up the issue with the Centre for the last four months.

Talking about Ajnala, he said that most farmers here cultivate basmati which is purchased by private traders. Though farmers here are not facing any problem, their counterparts in other parts of the state are highly inconvenienced, he added.

On the demand of farmers, Dhaliwal announced construction of five new sheds in the markets of Ajnala, Awan and Chamiyari. He said that after construction of these sheds, the produce would not be damaged by rains.