Punjab’s Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak, today reviewed the ongoing wheat procurement operations at Bhagtanwala Grain Market in Amritsar. During his visit, he interacted with farmers, commission agents, and labourers to gather firsthand information about procurement arrangements.
On the occasion, MLA South Amritsar Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, MLA Central Amritsar Dr. Ajay Gupta, Chairman PUNSUP S. Prabhbir Singh Brar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Rohit Gupta, SDM-1 Alka Kalia, DFSC Harveen Kaur, and officials of procurement agencies were also present.
After reviewing procurement at Bhagtanwala Mandi, while addressing the media at the Market Committee Office, the Cabinet Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is committed to procuring every single grain of farmers’ produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), and no farmer will face any inconvenience in the mandis.
The Minister further stated that Punjab has been assigned a target of 122 Lakh metric tonnes for the central pool this season, and despite unfavorable weather conditions, the state will achieve this target. He added that foolproof arrangements have been made across all mandis in the state, and he is personally visiting procurement centres to review the arrangements.
He informed that till yesterday evening, 61 Lakh metric tonnes of wheat had arrived in mandis across the state, out of which around 56 Lakh metric tonnes had already been procured. Payments to farmers are being made within 24 hours, and an amount of ₹7,109 crore has already been credited to farmers’ accounts.
He also directed procurement agencies to ensure timely lifting of the purchased wheat. The Minister emphasized that all agencies and commission agents have been instructed to make adequate arrangements of tarpaulins and crates to protect the produce from adverse weather.
He issued strict directions to all officials associated with procurement to ensure there is no laxity in mandis and that no farmer or commission agent faces any difficulty. On this occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rohit Gupta informed that till yesterday evening, 2,64,603 metric tonnes of wheat had arrived in mandis of Amritsar district, out of which 2,41,535 metric tonnes had already been procured. He reiterated that as per Punjab Government’s directions, payments are being made to farmers within 24 hours.