Punjab ensures smooth wheat procurement: Minister Kataruchak

Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak, stated on Sunday that the state government is fully ready to welcome farmers in the 1,864 grain markets across Punjab, and all the preparations for wheat procurement without any trouble have been finished.

The arrangements for cold drinking water, cleanliness, gunny bags, fans, transportation, and accommodation are being completely taken care of in the grain markets of the state, and they won’t face any kind of problem while selling their golden wheat grains.

No leave will be allowed for the staff working on procurement unless there’s a very strong reason, and they have to stay present in the grain markets to facilitate the farmers.

After reviewing the preparations with officials from Ludhiana, Moga, Faridkot, Ferozepur, and Barnala districts here on Sunday, the Cabinet Minister explained that the state government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, has made elaborate arrangements to help more than 8 lakh farmers during the current wheat procurement season.

He mentioned that Punjab is expecting a bumper wheat harvest this year, and the goal is to purchase 124 lakh metric tonnes wheat.

He also shared that the state has arranged a Cash Credit Limit of Rs. 28,894 crore and has also managed to get 99% of the needed gunny bags, along with plenty of storage space and containers.

Kataruchak also explained that to handle the harvest, the state has set up 600 temporary yards in addition to the regular ones and promised farmers that their payments would be sent to their accounts within 24 hours of selling their wheat, with the Minimum Support Price (MSP) set at Rs. 2,425 per quintal.

The Minister made it clear that the state government is committed to buying every single grain that farmers bring, and he won’t allow any mistakes or carelessness in the process.

At the review meeting, Kataruchak took stock of the facilities for farmers, like cleanliness, drinking water, lighting, and shaded spots in the mandis.

He gave instructions to officials to stay at the markets throughout the season to make sure farmers don’t face any difficulties. He also asked them to ensure availability of the first-aid medical kits in the mandis.