Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Sunday said that wheat procurement operations are in full swing across the state, with farmers receiving payments within 24 hours of purchase. He reiterated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is committed to ensuring a smooth and farmer-friendly procurement season.
Reviewing arrangements at the Dana Mandi in Bhogpur, the Minister inspected ongoing procurement and interacted with farmers. He said that wheat arrivals have gained momentum, with 8 to 10 lakh metric tonnes (MT) reaching mandis daily across Punjab with a record arrival of 11 lakh MT on Saturday.
So far, over 28 lakh MT of wheat has arrived across all procurement centres, out of which 24 lakh MT has been procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2585 per quintal. Highlighting timely payments as a key priority, Mr. Kataruchak informed that Rs. 647 crore has already been credited to farmers’ accounts, with a focus on ensuring payments within 24 hours of procurement.
The Minister also emphasized the government’s commitment towards labour welfare. He noted that labour charges had already been hiked 10 percent, considering the handling of nearly crores of bags during the season. Meanwhile, farmers expressed satisfaction over the arrangements, with Harbans Singh terming the procurement process smooth and hassle-free.
He noted that all his produce was procured immediately and he has also received the payment within 24 hours. Mr. Kataruchak added that the state aims to procure 122 lakh MT of wheat this season. He also interacted with the farmers presented in the Mandi and took their valuable feedback on procurement operations and arrangements made by authorities for the farmers.
Lauding Punjab Government's vision to facilitate farmers during wheat and paddy procurement seasons, the Minister said that from the last four years the state has witnessed smooth procurement seasons every year. He added that during the regime of previous governments, farmers used to hold protest due to lack of bardana, lifting and payment issues; but Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has set a benchmark in last four years by resolving these issues permanently.
Now, farmers are selling their crop and receiving payments within 24 hours besides smooth lifting across the state, he said adding that this track record has been maintained by state Government during last four years. He further stated that Punjab is the nation’s breadbasket and expressed pride in the state's ability to manage such a large-scale procurement operation smoothly.
Earlier, SDM Lal Bishwas Bains, Deputy Director Food and Civil Supplies Rajnish Kumari. DFSC Narinder Singh, Chairman Market Committee Bhogpur Barkat Ram along with other dignitaries welcomed the Minister upon his arrival in the Mandi.