Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh reviews paddy procurement at Nawanshahr Anaj Mandi

Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh made a surprise visit to Nawanshahr Anaj Mandi today to inspect procurement and lifting arrangements. Speaking to the media, Dr Singh stated that the Punjab government supports farmers and is pressuring the central government to facilitate simultaneous lifting of crops from markets after purchase.

He emphasised that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with ministers and MLAs, is working to ensure smooth paddy procurement. He praised arhtiyas, farmers, labourers, shellers, millers, and transporters as the backbone of the system, accusing the Modi government of trying to disrupt this network.

The health minister expressed concern that the central government’s actions are damaging Punjab’s environment, pitting farmers, labourers, and arhtiyas against each other. However, he believes the people of Punjab will see through these tactics.

Dr Singh questioned the central government’s commitment to Punjab’s agricultural industry, citing the lack of investment. He criticised the Centre for withholding funds from Punjab Mandi Board and failing to collect grain from warehouses, causing issues in mandis.

Despite these challenges, Dr Singh assured that the Punjab government has resolved the problem, and procurement and lifting are proceeding smoothly, with payments being made concurrently. He predicted that paddy procurement would be in full swing within three to four days.

During his visit, the minister interacted with farmers and arhtiyas, providing guidelines to officials for efficient procurement and lifting.

Present on the occasion were SSP Dr Mehtab Singh, SDM Dr Akshita Gupta, Constituency in-charge Nawanshahr Lalit Mohan Pathak (Ballu), Market Committee Nawanshahr chairman Gagan Agnihotri, District Food Supply Controller Manjinder Singh, District Mandi Officer Rupinder Minhas, and other procurement agency officials, arhtiyas, and farmers.