Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Monday said the state is witnessing bumper wheat crop this season thus the target of central pool i.e. 124 LMT could be achieved seamlessly. The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has already directed the Deputy Commissioners to examine the damage to crops due to recent wind storm, short circuits and hail storm, said the Minister assuring that every loss of the farmers would be duly compensated by the Punjab Government.
While taking stock of ongoing procurement at Dasuya Grain Market along with MLA Karambir Singh Ghuman, the Minister stated that so far 37 lakh metric tonne of wheat had arrived in the mandis across Punjab of which 33.50 LMT was procured whereas payments worth Rs. 3200 crore credited to the accounts of farmers.
The Minister said he was visiting mandis in the state to inspect ongoing procurement and found that the purchase of crop was going in a smooth manner as the State Government had ensured elaborated arrangements. Referring to payment to farmers, Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the State Government was making payments within 24 hours of the purchase and there was no delay in lifting.
The Punjab Government has received Cash Credit Limit of Rs. 28894 and there will be no delay in payment, he added. He said farmers will not face any issue as all amenities and preparations were done well in advance.
He said the officials concerned, procurement agencies and other stake holders were mandated to make adequate arrangements including requisite gunny bags, tarpaulins and crates so as to safeguard the crop in case of adverse weather. Speaking about the crop arrival in the district Mandis, the Minister said that 22898 MT wheat had arrived till day, of which about 21521 MT was purchased and payment to the tune of Rs. 25.54 crore disbursed in the accounts of farmers.