North News
Chandigarh, October 21
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday directed the officers to ensure speedy lifting of the paddy being procured in the Mandis across the state. Chairing a meeting to review the procurement operations in the state, the Chief Minister said that the paddy should be lifted at the earliest in the state so that farmers do not have to face any inconvenience. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that farmers of the state have played a key role in making the country self reliant in food production.
The Chief Minister said that in this process the food growers have even over exploited the only available natural resources of the state in terms of water and fertile soil. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this year also the farmers of state are expected to contribute 185 lakh Metric Ton of paddy in the national food kitty. He said that farmers should not be allowed to face any sort of inconvenience in the Mandis.
The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government is committed to protect the interests of the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for smooth and hassle free procurement of paddy in Punjab. He categorically said that distress sale of the paddy in the Mandis will not be allowed and severest of severe action will be taken against officers found responsible for it.
The Chief Minister said that state government has made elaborate arrangements for procurement of paddy for which 2651 Mandis have been set up across the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that CCL to the tune of Rs. 41,378 Crores for KMS 2024-25 has already been released by the RBI and farmers are being issued payment in time. He directed the officers to expedite the process on war footing mode for lifting the paddy from Mandis.
Meanwhile, it was also informed informed in the meeting that the state Mandis recorded the arrival of 24.88 LMT so far, of which 22.22 LMT had been procured. The Food and Civil Supplies Department already cleared the amount of Rs. 4027 crore for payment to the farmers.
