The Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs Minister, Punjab, Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu has said that the wheat procurement process is going on smoothly in the entire state. He also revealed that there is absolutely no problem in the procurement and payment system whereas the glitches on the lifting front would be resolved in 2-3 days time.Visiting the mandis a day after being sworn in as the cabinet minister, Mr. Ashu said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to procure every grain of the crops of farmers. He further disclosed that the payments are being paid to the farmers within 48 hours of the procurement so as to make sure that the farmers don’t have to face harassment on this count. Similarly, the online mode is also being adopted to further facilitate the payments to the farming community.The minister further added that he has yet to formally assume charge but on the directions of the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, he decided to visit the mandis to have a first-hand knowledge of the procurement procedures. He also divulged that it has been brought to his notice that there are issues with regard to the lifting in the mandis which is due to the inclement weather and partly owing to the special lifting of the paddy. He elaborated that he had a word with the higher officials in this regard and serious endeavours would be made to ensure redressal of the lifting problem in 2-3 days. Divulging more, he said that the mandi-wise distribution of the trucks would be streamlined. He also assured that there is no problem of Gunny-Bags (Bardanaa) in the mandis and the procurement as well as the payment process is going on with ease.
Interacting with the media-persons, Mr. Ashu also said that after being sworn in as the minister he has his priorities clearly chalked out with the first one being to ensure smooth procurement process and afterwards ensuring transparency as well as tackling corruption. He also added that during the past 1 year, the departmental functioning has witnessed a lot of improvement.On the occasion, the Lok Sabha MP Mr. Ravneet Singh Bittu while congratulating Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu on being sworn in as the cabinet minister, said that the Punjab Government is duty bound to the all round development of the state on every parameter of progress. He also assured that the farmers won’t be allowed to be harassed in the mandis during the procurement process. Among others present on the occasion included MLA Mr. Sanjay Talwar, ex-minister Mr. Malkit Singh Dakha, Deputy Commissioner Mr.Pradeep Kumar Aggarwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Neeru Katial Gupta, SDM Ludhiana (West) Mr. Damanjit Singh Mann, SDM Jagraon Mr. Ram Singh, Mr. Major Singh Bhaini, Mr. Major Singh Mullanpur, Mr. Manjit Singh Hambran, and Mr. Anand Sarup Singh Mohi.