As compared to last year, arrival of wheat in mandis more than double this time: Ravi Bhagat

Shariq Majeed | TNN | Apr 23, 2020, 20:21 IST

LUDHIANA: Ravi Bhagat, secretary, Punjab Mandi Board on Thursday informed that more than 24 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has already been procured across Punjab during this wheat season. He informed that in addition to distributing masks and ensuring social distance, the Mandi Board has distributed 27,000 litres of sanitisers in the mandis to fight infection and keep its people safe.
Ravi Bhagat said this while visiting the grain markets at Ludhiana, Khanna, Doraha, Sahnewal and Mullanpur on Thursday. He has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the procurement of Ludhiana, Moga and Sangrur districts. Expressing satisfaction over the ongoing procurement work in the district, he said that Ludhiana was getting good quality produce in the market.
He informed that in view of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the Punjab government is making dedicated efforts for supporting the farmers along with common man. He assured that the Punjab government is committed to procure every single food grain from the mandis of the state.
While speaking to media persons, Ravi Bhagat said that the Punjab Mandi Board has set up 4000 purchase centres out of which 3000 are functioning. He said that the arrival of wheat was more than last year.
He further said that passes have been issued to the commission agents last year as per the registered arrivals in their accounts (for farmers). Farmers are allowed to enter the mandis on these passes only, which is provided for each trolley. So far 4.5 lakh passes have been issued by the Mandi Board and due to rationality, the pace of pass issuance is slow as the procurement season has expanded from 20 days earlier to 45 days this year. He called upon all to act responsibly and ensure compliance with government guidelines for prevention of infection.