Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to lift every single grain of paddy from the market, the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma today directed the heads of procurement agencies in the district to ensure this process in a smooth and hassle free manner.
Presiding over a meeting to review the arrangements of the Paddy procurement for the Kharif Season 2018-19 in the district during a meeting here at his camp office, the Deputy Commissioner directed all the heads of the state procurements agencies and representatives of FCI in the district to personally supervise the Paddy procurement operations across the district beginning from October 1, so as to ensure prompt lifting of paddy as per their allotted share of procurement. He categorically said that all out efforts should be made to ensure smooth, hassle free and quick procurement of Paddy on one hand and facilitate the farmers in getting timely payment of their produce on the other. Mr. Sharma said that farmers in the district should not be put to any inconvenience for the sale of their produce in the mandis.
The Deputy Commissioner further said that the Sub Divisional Magistrates would be accountable for the smooth procurement operations in grain markets under their jurisdiction so that farmers do not face any sort of problem in selling their harvest. He asked Punjab Mandi Board officials to make sure of arrangements in mandis to save produce and to have proper sanitation facilities. Likewise, Mr. Sharma issued instructions to make requisite arrangement of power, sheds for the farmers, portable water supply and equipment to monitor the quality of paddy in each procurement centre.During detailed interactions with the officers on the issues pertaining to procurement, moisture content and others, the Deputy Commissioner was apprised that elaborate arrangements had been made for the procurement of about 11.35 lakh metric ton of paddy expected in the district this year, which was 11.50% more than the last year. The state government has already allotted the procurement operations to PUNGRAIN, MARKFED, PUNSUP, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, Punjab Agro Industries and FCI. As many as 78 mandis/purchase centers have been notified for the procurement of paddy in the district. It was also informed in the meeting that the supply of adequate gunny bags has already been ensured in the district.Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jitendra Jorwal, District Food and Supply Controller Mr. TS Chopra, District Revenue Officer Mr. Jashanjeet Singh and others.