Chandigarh, 30:
Paddy procurement during the ongoing marketing season of Kharif crops, has gained “good momentum” in Punjab and procurement mark crossed 100 Lakh Metric Tonne so far. This was disclosed by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu.
In a press statement issued today, Mr. Ashu said that the procurement of paddy in the state was being carried out in smooth menner. He said that payment for the procurement of paddy was being made within 48 hours from the date of procurement as per the government’s instructions and Rs. 15986.27 Crore has been paid till now.
Mr. Ashu said that 10407043 metric tonnes of paddy had arrived in the mandis, out of which 10159538.2315metric tonnes had been procured till October 29, 2021. Government agencies have procured 10112153.2315 MT and Millers procured 47385 MT out of the total procured crop.
Expressing satisfaction over the smooth running of the ongoing marketing season, Mr. Ashu said that the flying squad of the Food and Civil Supplies Department in collaboration with the Punjab Police and Punjab Mandi Board had taken steps to curb the trend of bogus billing by some traders. In addition to surveillance at various inter-state borders, suprise checking are also being carried out. As a result, a total of 21 trucks and trolleys carrying with 4695.20 paddy / rice have been seized which ware carrying paddy of other states. So far and 11 FIRs have been registered against 30 persons / agents / millers and arrested 21Persons.
He further said that till date our checking teams have checked 35048 Trucks and trolleies at 72 inter state Nakas of State.
While Reiterating the commitment of the Punjab government to procure every paddy grains produced by the farmers of the state, the Food Minister said that no one would be allowed to buy cheap paddy from other states and sell it in Punjab.
