CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 29 The Punjab Government has ordered to start procurement from October 1st , 2021 Instructions have also been issued to lift the procured crop within 48-hours.
Divulging details, the Food & Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu said that the State had decided to start procurement from October 1st, 2021. The Minister said that Punjab Government was committed to lift every single grain of the farmers produce.
Mr. Ashu extended gratitude towards Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi for his concerted efforts to get CCL within time and said that due to the efforts of the Chief Minister, the state has got CCL even before the commencement of paddy procurement. He informed that Mr. Channi had been in constant touch with Mr. Sudhansu Pandey, Food Secretary, Government of India for getting CCL well before the Kharif marketing season.
Bharat Bhushan Ashu said that as many as 2606 places had been notified as procurement centres across the state in order to protect the farmers, labourers, Arthiyas and those involved in procurement, lifting and transpotation.
Out of total 2606 procurement centres, the Minister said, 1806 were Government Mandis while 800 were public places and premises of mills, which had been notified as procurement centres to keep the spread of Corona at bay.
Ashu pointed out that the Central Government had announced the MSP of 1960 for the A-grade paddy. Reserve Bank of India has issued Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of 35,712.73 Cr. and also arranged bales in sufficient quantity.
He also informed that the State Government had made elaborate arrangements as ensured at the time of wheat procurement so that health protocols especially social distancing could be followed meticulously amid Coronavirus. All concerned authorities involved in the procurement process have been directed to strictly follow the health protocols besides ensuring availability of soap for washing hands, availability of water and sanitisers having 70 percent alcohol at the procurement centres.
The Minister further stated that the procurement operations would continue till November 30 .
Ashu also informed that all requisite facilities for farmers and labourers would be provided at all procurement centres including availability of potable water, proper sitting place, public conveniences etc.
He said that a letter has been written to the Director General of Police of Punjab to check the smuggling of paddy / rice from other states and to deploy police teams on inter state entry points to check the menace.
