Chandigarh: Punjab govt on Monday said over 4 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of crops was lifted on Sunday, an indication that paddy procurement was picking up. Out of the 59 LMT fresh produce that has arrived in the mandis so far, it said 54 LMT has already been procured.
An official said, “CM Bhagwant Mann has been closely monitoring the situation. As a result, 4.13 LMT paddy was lifted on Sunday, as opposed to 3.83 LMT on Oct 26, 2.82 LMT on Oct 25, 2.62 LMT on Oct 24, 2.04 LMT on Oct 23, 2.31LMT on Oct 22,1.39LMT grains lifted on Oct 21.”
Food and civil supplies minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said out of 59.79 LMT paddy that has reached the state’s mandis, 54.98 LMT has been purchased. The state is moving rapidly towards meeting the procurement target, he said after reviewing the procurement situation in a video-conference with senior officers of his dept. “Lifting of grains has also picked up momentum with 23.30LMT of paddy being lifted so far and 4.13LMT in a single day on Sunday. About Rs 7,640 crore has been credited into the accounts of the farmers to ensure that they are able to celebrate Diwali at their homes,” he said.
Stating that the CM has been persistently flagging the issue of procurement with the Centre, the spokesperson said he had impressed upon the Centre to ensure the liquidation of at least 20 LMT of food grains per month from the state till March 31, 2025 thereby making sure that 120LMT of paddy is sent outside by then.
On Saturday, the day’s arrival was 5.26 LMT and the daily lifting stood at 3.79 LMT while the progressive lifting was 19.16 LMT.
The paddy procurement exercise kicked off on Oct 1. Since then, arhtiyas and farmers have been complaining that the mandis were overflowing with rice millers reluctant to accept orders.