Chandigarh/Sangrur, April 8:
Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak today held a review meeting with officials on the arrangements made for wheat procurement in 7 districts of Punjab including Sangrur district at the District Administrative Complex. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has given clear instructions that farmers, arhtiyas, laborers or any other stakeholder in wheat procurement process should not face any problem in any grain market during the entire season. He said that the mandis of Punjab are fully prepared to welcome the farmers bringing their produce and all the necessary arrangements for procurement, lifting, loading, crates and payment have been completed in the mandis.
Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that during the meeting of the officers, good feedback has been received regarding the arrangements made in the mandis such as drinking water, sanitation, lighting arrangements, cleaning of washrooms etc. and this time too the wheat procurement season will be excellent. He said that there is a possibility of a bumper crop of wheat this year and a target of purchasing 124 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has been set. He also said that Punjab has arranged a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs 28,894 crore. He said that around 8 lakh farmers will bring their produce to the mandis of Punjab during the season and keeping it in view, as many as 1864 procurement centres have been set up. Apart from this, 600 temporary mandis have also been set up which will be used as per the requirement.
Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the state’s grain markets will start receiving a bountiful crop near Baisakhi and the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to ensure the purchase of every grain of wheat coming to the markets and to make payment within 24 hours.
Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak instructed the District Food Supply Controllers, Food Supply Officers, District Managers of government procurement agencies of Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Malerkotla, Fatehgarh Sahib, Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts that they will not take leave without any valid reason so that the farmers do not have to face any kind of problems in the markets.
Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Bamby, SP Navreet Singh Virk, SDM Charanjot Singh Walia, Deputy Director Food and Civil Supplies Patiala, Faridkot and Ferozepur Divisions were also present during the meeting.
