Mohali, July 16:
In a major push to harness the renewable energy, the Punjab Mandi Board plans to install solar power plants in grain markets across Jalandhar, Patiala, Ferozepur and Ludhiana at a cost of Rs. 24.5 crore and this eco-friendly initiative is expected to save approximately Rs. 3.5 crore in annual electricity expenses, informed Harchand Singh Barsat, Chairman, Punjab Mandi Board.
S. Barsat, along with senior officials of the Punjab Mandi Board, reviewed the development works being carried out at grain markets, fruit and vegetable markets, Market Committees and e-NAM. The Chairman further stated that the Punjab Mandi Board would plant over 50,000 saplings in Mandis across the state. This initiative underscores the Board’s commitment to enhancing green cover and promoting environmental sustainability in and around mandis across Punjab.
The Chairman directed officials to complete the renovation of the Guest House located at Talwandi Sabo at the earliest so that it can be operated on the lines of the Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh. Additionally, officials were instructed to take immediate action to allocate the vacant houses in the Board’s residential colonies. Under the modernisation of vegetable mandis, he said that boom barriers were installed at the vegetable mandi in Sanaur (Patiala). This led to an increase in market fees. Given the project’s success, a decision has been made to implement this in other mandis across state.
S. Barsat directed officials to immediately remove encroachments on the premises of the mandis in the state, while emphasising on the need to maintain cleanliness at vegetable mandis. He instructed officials to ensure daily disposal of waste generated in the mandis, besides making efforts to generate income from this bio-waste.
Highlighting the Board’s achievements, the Chairman said that the Board has earned Rs 373 crore in revenue from e-auctions of 842 plots this year so far. He further informed about a successful initiative where cover sheds in the state’s mandis were opened for public use during the off-season. This move received an overwhelming response and generated Rs 1 crore in revenue, which showcases the Board’s efforts to optimise the use of existing infrastructure in mandis.
