Taking stock of procurement operations in SAS Nagar during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS), Director Food Supply, Mrs. Anindita Mitra interacted with representatives of all the purchase agencies and other stakeholders including the Arthiyas and informed that procurement is smooth in the district.Implementation of the curfew- pass system, village-wise arrival of wheat in the assigned mandis and adherence to COVID-19 protocol is satisfactory, said Anindita and added that as per the feedback received, the pass-system has been very successful. “It helped in maintaining social distancing protocol as well preventing the glut in the mandis,” said Anindita and added that some people want it to be emulated even during normal procurement period. Hundred percent online payments directly into the accounts of farmers have been reported by the arthiyas in the district, said she. Director Food Supply said that refraining from cash transactions and making payments online into the accounts of the farmers is the need of the hour as it prevents economic exploitation and below MSP payments to farmers.No bardana shortage has been seen in SAS Nagar, said Andidita and informed that in case it falls short (since bardana orders from Kolkata Jute mills could not be honoured due to COVID-19) then old/used bardana can be brought into use by the agencies since government has now issued formal directions pertaining bardana reuse and has affixed its rate.
During the visit to Banur grain market, Puneet Kumar Jain from Arthiya Association informed DFS that sufficient numbers of passes are being provided by the Administration and payments are being made well within the 48 hour payment norm. He also informed that sufficient number of reusable cloth masks for the labourers have been provided by the administration and hand sanitizers as well soaps have been made available.Suspension of procurement by FCI was flagged to Director Food Supply(DFS), to which she informed that the agency had some issues pertaining lustre loss in the grain which has been resolved after Chief Minister Punjab took it up with the Centre Government and subsequently FCI has resumed purchase.She was also informed that labour was being paid same amount for filling 50 kg bags as for 30 kg ones whereas 50 kg filling requires more time and energy. Anindita assured that any such will be duly looked into.Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan apprised the Director that total arrival in the procurement centres throughout the district till April 30 stands is 82701 MT and out of which 82671 MT has been purchased, amounting to almost 99% purchase of the total arrivals. The lifting has also gathered pace and is to the tune of 70% said he and informed that payment of Rs. 118.24 crore has been made against the outstanding Rs. 138.92 crores resulting in over 85%payment .