CHANDIGARH, APRIL 17: In wake of COVID-19, the Mandi Board has issued 2.85 lakh passes to the farmers through Arthiyas to ensure hassle free procurement of wheat.
Disclosing this here today, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Viswajeet Khanna said that 3691 mandis had been setup to avoid crowd and congestion, of which 1824 are on temporary basis.
He further said that to ensure prompt procurement of crop in these Mandis 2,84,285 passes had been given to farmers through Arthiyas so as to enable them to sell their produce as per their turn.
Khanna also categorically said that these passes are being directly issued to farmers through Arthiyas and there is no condition or restriction to get these passes through any app. He asked the farmers to approach their Arthiyas for passes to take their crops to Mandis.
The ACS further said that to keep the spread of coronavirus under check, top priority is given to strictly maintain social distancing and health protocol.
Listing the several steps taken by Mandi Board amid COVID-19, ACS said that 27000 litres of sanitisers had been provided in all the Mandis across the state for cleaning of hands to ensure proper hygiene, health and safety of farmers so as to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus.
He also informed that 1300 washbasins operated with feet had been installed along with overhead water tanks of 500 litre capacity each in all the Main and Sub yards. Also said that all the mandis are being sanitised with the spray of sodium hypochlorite to ensure proper sanitation besides health safety of the people, added Khanna.
