Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will call on the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Monday (October 14) for flagging the issues of Millers and Aarthiyas with him.
Chairing a meeting to review the ongoing procurement of paddy here at his official residence, the Chief Minister said that the demands of the millers and Aarthiyas are genuine and the union government must give a sympathetic view to it. During telephonic conversation with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, he apprised him about the gravity of situation and sought time from him to have detailed deliberations over the matter. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he will call on the Union Minister at national capital on Monday and raise the issues of Millers and Aarthiyas.
The Chief Minister also took stock of the ongoing procurement and lifting of grains in the Mandis along with the payment being made to the farmers. He asked the officers to ensure that every single grain of paddy is procured and lifted from the Mandis. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to procure and lift every single grain of paddy from the Mandis.
The Chief Minister said that so far 4.30 lakh Metric ton paddy has arrived in Mandis. He said that so far a payment worth Rs 573.55 crore has been made to the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already made elaborate arrangements for purchasing the golden harvest of the farmers as soon as it arrives in the Mandis.
The Chief Minister said that smooth and hassle free procurement of grains is being ensured in the market so that farmers don’t face any sort of inconvenience. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is personally monitoring the entire procurement process to ensure that farmers do not face any sort of inconvenience. He said that the state government has taken path breaking initiatives to ensure smooth, hassle free and transparent procurement of grains in the state.
The Chief Minister said that no stone will be left unturned to facilitate the farmers by ensuring foolproof procurement at micro level adding that the state government has already made elaborate arrangements for purchasing the harvest of farmers as soon as it arrives in the Mandis. He said that a viable mechanism has been evolved to ensure on the spot payment to the farmers in their bank accounts. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that smooth and hassle free procurement of grains is being ensured in the market so that farmers don’t face any sort of inconvenience.
The Chief Minister said that all out efforts have been made to ensure smooth, hassle free and quick procurement of Paddy on one hand and facilitate the farmers in getting timely payment of their produce on the other. He categorically said that farmers of the state should not be put to any inconvenience for the sale of their produce in the mandis. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is duty bound to ensure that every golden grain of the farmers is procured and lifted immediately.