Wheat stock not lifted, relief sought

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, May 31

The process of procurement of wheat came to an end today, but huge stocks of wheat have been lying in the open amid inclement weather at the Fazilka grain market for over two weeks.

Market Committee sources said four procurement agencies — Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, Pungrain, Punsup and Markfed — had procured 94,077 metric tonnes of wheat from the Fazilka grain market alone, out of which 20,565 metric tonnes of wheat was yet to be lifted.

Now, the Market Committee authorities have claimed demurrage from the government procurement agencies as wheat has not been lifted within the stipulated time of 72 hours.

Sources said the Market Committee issued the notices of demurrage to the tune of Rs6,81,940 to Punsup, Rs6,03,200 to Pungrain and Rs5,25,700 to Markfed. The amount of demurrage, if any, to be imposed on the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation is yet to be calculated, said sources.

Confirming the move, Fazilka District Mandi Officer Swaran Singh said a demurrage of 25 paisa per unit per day could be imposed on government procurement agencies.

Initially, the stocks were not lifted due to the “shortage of space” in government godowns. Later, there was a dispute between commission agents and procurement agency officials over loss due to the shortage in wheat stock reported in the grain market. Notably, nearly 1 kg loss of wheat was reported from a wheat bag (50 kg) lying in the open.

Notices issued

The market committee in Fazilka has issued notices of demurrage to the tune of Rs6.82 lakh to Punsup, Rs6.03 lakh to Pungrain and Rs5.25 lakh to Markfed.