Ensure hassle-free paddy procurement: Punjab CM

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday directed the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement of paddy during the current kharif season beginning October 1.

While reviewing the arrangements and preparedness for the paddy procurement season at a high-level meeting, the Chief Minister asked the Food and Civil Supplies Department, the nodal agency for the procurement operations, to ensure all necessary arrangements for smooth, prompt and seamless procurement and storage of paddy.

Timely payment

The entire paddy produce will be procured. The government will ensure timely payment to the farmers. All necessary arrangements for seamless lifting are in place. Charanjit Singh Channi, Chief Minister

Reiterating his government’s firm commitment, Channi said, “The entire paddy produce will be procured. The government will ensure timely payment to the farmers. All necessary arrangements for seamless lifting are in place.”

Meanwhile, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu assured the Chief Minister that the department would leave no stone unturned in ensuring smooth procurement during the current paddy season to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

Taking part in the deliberations, Director Food and Civil Supplies Dr Abhinav Trikha informed the Chief Minister that elaborate arrangements had already been put in place to procure the expected paddy arriving in the mandis of the state.

Briefing the Chief Minister, the Director (Food and Civil Supplies) said the Government of India had fixed Rs 1,960 per quintal as the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for grade ‘A’ paddy for the kharif marketing season 2021-22.

Four state procurement agencies — Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup, PSWC, along with the FCI — will procure paddy on the Minimum Support Price as per the specifications laid down by the Government of India.

He further said that 1,806 purchase centres notified by the Punjab Mandi Board had been allotted among the government procurement agencies.

To curb the spread of Covid pandemic and avoid glut in mandis, nearly 800 rice mills/public places are being set up as temporary purchase centres for procuring paddy.

The procurement policy for the kharif season has been issued after the approval of the Food and Civil Supplies Minister.

The Chief Minister was also informed that gunny bales and covers (tarpaulin) for storing paddy would be arranged in a timely manner.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) makes its own arrangements of gunny bales, cash credit, stock articles and storage space.

Rs 35,712-Cr credit limit issued

Rs 1,960 MSP per quintal for grade ‘A’ paddy

1,806 centres notified by Punjab Mandi Board