On the directives of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, the district administration on Wednesday kick-started the process procuring wheat as the crop has started arriving at district grain markets amid trying circumstances due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Deputy Commissioner (DC) Gurpal Singh Chahal and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Narinder Bhargav personally visited the grain market here to review arrangements.Deputy Commissioner, while taking stock said that the district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement of wheat during Rabi Marketing Season 2020-21 and every single grain of farmers produce would be procured at all costs.To avoid crowding, maintain safe social distance norms and ensure smooth procurement, Chahal said a detailed action plan was in place to undertake procurement by staggering arrival of produce in the grain markets by issuing passes fixed with holograms to the farmers through Aartiyas (Commission Agents). With each coupon, a farmer will be entitled to bring one trolley of his produce.
Emphasising the need to strictly observe necessary safety and sanitary protocols to curb the spread of coronavirus, observance of social distancing norms, wearing of masks and use of sanitisers has been ensured, Chahal said.He stated that mandi yards have been marked with 30×30 feet lines to accommodate a heap of produce and maintain sufficient distance from the adjoining one. He said that provision for clean drinking water, fumigation, cleaning and disinfection of Grain Markets and Mandi yards was also ensured.SSP Mansa informed that before the arrival of the crop in the market, the Grain Market was totally sanitised and every safety arrangement was ensured. He said that the trolley drove by the farmer was sanitised while entering the grain market, besides farmers’ are being asked to sanitise their hands and wash their hands frequently.SSP Mansa assured the farmers and Commission Agents that Mansa police will remain at the forefront for their assistance and they won’t face any kind of problem.Meanwhile, in a welcoming gesture, the farmers were presented with flowers on their arrival at the grain market by the District Mandi Officials on the first day.On the occasion, District Mandi Officer Rajnish Goel, Secretary Market Committee Chamkaur Singh, DFSC Madhu and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mansa Harjinder Singh Gill among others were present.