Govt will adhere to 48-hr deadline for paddy lifting, says Punjab CM

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday promised strict adherence by his government to the 48-hour deadline for lifting of paddy and payment to farmers for their crop in the ensuing kharif season.

Pointing out that his government had got the issue of cash credit limit (CCL) sorted out, the CM said everything was in place for smooth procurement of paddy this season, when an estimated 182 lakh metric tonnes of the crop was expected to come into the market, as against the previous season’s target of 165 lakh metric tonnes.

“The mandis are witnessing 182% increase in arrival of cotton crop as compared to last year as a result of the collective efforts of the state government, Punjab Agricultural University and farmers, backed by favourable weather conditions,” he said at a meeting of rice millers. He also promised revival of sick rice milling units to be taken up on priority by the state government.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to early redress of problems faced by the industry, Amarinder said that a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme was recently announced to provide an opportunity to all defaulter rice millers to clear their past dues. Around 1,500 of the total 3,500 defaulting and sick milling units would benefit by the scheme, he said, adding that this was one of the several measures initiated to bring the industry back on the path of progress.

Responding to a demand from the rice millers, Amarinder said he would take up the issue of bardana (gunny bags) use and transportation charges with the central government next week at his meeting with Union food minister Ram Vilas Paswan. On the issue of millers in surplus paddy districts being given more paddy at a rate of 140% of their original entitlement, he assured that no miller would be forced to mill paddy beyond his capacity and only those willing to mill extra paddy would be considered.

Punjab Mandi Board chairman Lal Singh blamed the previous SAD-BJP government for the mess in the industry, saying the Akalis and BJP had plundered the state, leaving it under a massive debt burden of ₹2.08 lakh crore. He promised to act as a bridge between the milling community and the government to resolve any issues of concern.