The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today took stock of the wheat procurement operations at the Sarna Dana Mandi (Rajan Ki Mandi) under Bhoa constituency and formally initiated the procurement process. He also interacted with the farmers and other stakeholders on the occasion.
The Minister in his address on the occasion said that the wheat procurement has commenced in the State w.e.f. April 1st and robust arrangements have been ensured in all the mandis. The Punjab Government is fully committed to ensure that no farmer faces any kind of hurdle in the mandis.
Divulging more, the Minister said that the procurement agencies are regularly visiting the mandis and are taking stock of all the arrangements. He further added that earlier due to inclement weather there occurred some issues but now with the improvement in weather the wheat arrival in the mandis has picked up pace.
He also mentioned that till now over 4 LMT of Wheat has arrived in the mandis out of which 80000 MT stands procured and the pace of procurement is gathering steam with each passing day. This time Punjab has got the target to procure 122 LMT but the State has made foolproof arrangements for 132 LMT, added Mr. Kataruchak.
Giving further assurances, the Minister said that the promise made by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann with the farmers to procure every single bale of grain would be fulfilled at any cost and the payments would be made into the accounts of the farmers within 24 Hours of the produce having been procured.
The arrangements regarding are also complete in the mandis.The Minister further pointed out that the officers connected with the procurement have been directed to further solidify the arrangements in every Mandi so as to ensure a successful and hassle free season.
On the occasion, Chairman Market Committee Pathankot Vikas Saini, District Food Supply Controller Raj Rishi Mehra, Chairman Block Samiti Gharota Pawan Kumar and Members Zila Parishad Nitin Thakur & Bhupinder Singh were also present.