Admn to ensure smooth, hassle-free procurement: Ludhiana DC

The district administration is all set to ensure smooth and hassle-free paddy procurement in Ludhiana from Tuesday.

Reviewing the preparations, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain reiterated the firm commitment of the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to procure every single grain of the farmers. With an estimated 16.55 lakh metric tonnes of paddy expected to arrive in Ludhiana’s 108 grain markets and 79 temporary yards, he stated that the administration had made comprehensive arrangements to facilitate uninterrupted procurement.

He assured that adequate gunny bags were available and all measures for prompt lifting and timely payments had been established across all purchase centres. Farmers will receive payments within the stipulated timeframe, he said. The DC further said that moisture meters would be used to check every loaded vehicle coming to the grain market and duties of the Mandi Board had already been fixed.

The sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) will conduct surprise inspections to monitor procurement activities and address any issue promptly, besides ensuring that farmers face no difficulty while selling their produce. He also highlighted that the timely procurement, lifting and payment processes were a priority to support the state’s food growers.

Jain also urged farmers to bring only dry paddy with moisture content of 17% or lower. Moisture meters have been given to Mandi Board staff and employees will be deployed at the entrance to inspect every loaded vehicle, ensuring compliance with the set standards. Additionally, he said that combine harvesters had already been instructed to operate strictly between 10 am and 6 pm and warned that violations of these guidelines would result in strict action, including the seizure of combines.