Chandigarh, April 2:
Kashmir Singh today became the first farmer in the State to receive MSP payment. Disclosing this today, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister said that Kashmir Singh, hailing from Mohabbatpur Village in Patiala District, had brought 51 quintals of wheat in Rajpura Mandi on 31st March and it was cleaned and purchased on the very first day of procurement i.e. 1st of April. He added that today, within 24 hours of purchase, the Department has transferred the farmer’s payment, amounting to Rs. 1,02,765, directly into his bank account. The Minister said that lifting of the purchased wheat had also commenced in Rajpura Mandi.
Responding to a question regarding arrangements of transport and labour, he said that it was for the first time that all labour and transport contracts had been completed well before the start of the season. This has ensured that all Mandis across the state are in a state of readiness, with adequate labour and trucks.
Regarding the slow pace of arrival of wheat in the Mandis, the Minister said that the crop has not ripened yet and was expected to start reaching Mandis in the Malwa area in significant quantities after 6th of April, while the Majha Districts will probably see the arrivals pick up after 12th April.
Kataruchak added that that all arrangements, for purchase of wheat in the Mandis, are in place. He said that the farmers are upbeat due to expectations of a good harvest and Punjab Government will leave no stone unturned in buying every grain that is offered for sale by the farmer.
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