IEP Chandigarh, March 29
Due to concerted efforts of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cleared a sum of Rs. 29,000 crore towards Cash Credit Limit (CCL) for the procurement of Wheat in Punjab during the ensuing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS). Meanwhile, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that the Union government has already released Rs 25,445 crore as CCL for the coming season. Bhagwant Mann said that with this, the bulk of the CCL sought by the state government for the purchase of Wheat for this season has been released by the central bank. Expressing gratitude to the Centre for timely release of CCL, he said that it will go a long way in ensuring seamless procurement of Wheat during the current marketing season. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, while chairing a meeting of Food and Civil supplies department, directed the officers to ensure smooth and hassle free procurement of every single grain of the farmers. He categorically said that payment to the farmers for their produce must be ensured from the very first day of procurement i.e. April 1, 2023. Bhagwant Mann reiterated the commitment of the state government to procure every single grain of the golden harvest of the farmers. The Chief Minister said that elaborate arrangements will be made for the procurement of the wheat so that farmers do not face any sort of inconvenience. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is duty bound to ensure procurement of the grains in a smooth and hassle free manner. Pertinently, the procurement of wheat will begin from April 1 and culminate on May 31 during the current RMS.
