"The farmers of Punjab have always contributed a lot towards ensuring the food security of the country and have been the backbone of the economic structure of the State." These views were expressed here today at Grain Market, Kharar by the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab and MLA Mohali Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu on the occasion of starting the wheat procurement season. The minister further said that the State Government would ensure that the farming community faces no problems in selling their crop. All out efforts would be made to purchase every single bale of grain besides ensuring adequate and quick payment. He also exhorted the farmers and the arhtiyas apart from the labourers to maintain social distancing guidelines keeping in view the corona virus disease and take all necessary precautions such as wearing the masks.Among other dignitaries present on the occasion included the Secretary, Agriculture Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, SDM Kharar Mr. Himanshu Jain, Political Secretary to the minister and the Chairman Market Committee, Kharar----Mr. Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, Vice Chairman Market Committee Mr. Sukhjit Singh, Secretary Market Committee Archana Bansal, Congress leader Mr. Kamal Kishore Sharma and DSP Pal Singh.