CHANDIGARH, MAY 7: With a bumper production of wheat crop in the state, the Punjab has successfully crossed 100 LMT mark in wheat procurement despite several challenges during curfew/lockdown amid COVID-19.
Besides, pass system for farmers and impeccable arrangements put in place for procurement operations in over 4000 purchase centres has led to the smooth and hassle free procurement.
Disclosing this here today, the Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Viswajeet Khanna said that nearly 78 percent of total procurement operations had already been accomplished within 22 days after commencement. He said that out of total estimated arrival of 135 LMT of wheat, the state Mandis recorded arrival of 105.14 LMT so far, of which 104 LMT had been procured during ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS).
Khanna also stated that 13.71 lakh passes have been issued so far to the farmers through arthiyas to ensure staggered movement of wheat in mandis.
The ACS further pointed out that the current RMS was not only entirely different from previous seasons but also full of arduous challenges as to avert crowd and congestion in the Mandis was a major responsibility amongst other restrictions amid coronavirus and the state had successfully achieved the desired goals in this regard further ensuring seamless procurement operations.
Appreciating the safe and hygienic mechanism introduced by the Mandi Board for the well-being of farmers, arthiyas, labour, staff and other stakeholders, Viswajeet Khanna informed that the Mandi Board had established over 4000 purchase centres, which were more than double as compared to 1834 of the last year.
He said there were 30X30 boxes that had been demarcated in the mandis to unload the wheat being brought by the farmers to avoid crowd in the mandis besides strictly maintaining social distancing to ensure the health protocol.
He said that 34000 litre of sanitizer had also been provided in Mandis for farmers besides installation 1300 water tanks operated by foot for the health safety of all stakeholders in the purchase centres.
Khanna said the State Government has also provided 1.60 lakh masks and 18,000 bottles of sanitizers for the officers/officials deployed for procurement operations so as to ensure their safety.
