Aam Aadmi Party’s state chief spokesperson, MLA and former cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to procuring every grain out of the expected arrival of about 13.2 million metric tonnes of wheat in nearly 1,900 grain markets across the state at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹2,585 per quintal.
To implement this commitment, clear directions have been issued to Deputy Commissioners, District Food and Supply Controllers, government procurement agencies, and Mandi Board/Market Committee officials to ensure timely and hassle-free procurement.
Adequate arrangements have been ordered for gunny bags, lifting of produce, payment within 24 hours, electricity, drinking water, tarpaulins, and cleanliness in mandis. Any negligence or corruption in procurement arrangements will not be tolerated. He also urged commission agents (arhtiyas) and labourers to cooperate with farmers and the government in handling and managing the wheat crop, which farmers have nurtured under adverse conditions.
Addressing public meetings in several villages of his constituency Ajnala under the campaign “Shaandaar Chaar Saal, Bhagwant Mann De Naal,” Dhaliwal listened to the concerns of rural residents and directly interacted with farmers and farm labourers regarding wheat procurement.
He criticized the central government, alleging that funds worth ₹9,000 crore for rural development, GST dues, and National Health Mission funds are being withheld, reflecting discriminatory treatment towards Punjab. He further alleged that in an election year, a deliberate attempt is being made to disrupt wheat procurement to politically benefit the BJP.
Dhaliwal stated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and also during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging smooth procurement and resolution of arhtiyas’ demands, but no concrete action has been taken so far.
He asserted that despite the Centre’s alleged attitude, the Punjab government will ensure procurement of every grain of wheat from mandis and provide relief to farmers and labourers, as it has done consistently over the past four years.
He also informed that in Ajnala constituency, 14 new sheds have been constructed in 9 procurement centres at a cost of around ₹15 crore to facilitate farmers, labourers, and commission agents. Additionally, crores of rupees have been spent on upgrading link roads leading to mandis.