Chandigarh, April 17: As many as 29.65 LMT of Wheat arrived so far in mandis across the state of which 25.61 LMT i.e 86.37 percent has been procured within a period of just one week from April 10 despite the challenging task amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Expressing satisfaction over the ongoing wheat procurement operations and arrangements put in place to facilitate all stakeholders, the Secretary Mandi Board and Director Food & Civil Supplies Ravi Bhagat pointed out that district Sanguru is leading in terms of Wheat arrival where 4.76 LMT of Wheat had arrived in the mandis, followed by Patiala and Mansa with 3.87 LMT and 2.32 LMT respectively. He said that the targeted procurement of Wheat in the state is 130 LMT during ongoing Rabi Marketing Season.
He also revealed that 5.74 lakh passes have already been given to farmers through Arthiyas by Mandi Board and various Market Committees in view of the staggered movement of wheat due to COVID-19.
Regarding the problems faced by farmers delay of crop payment, Mr Bhagat pointed out that the DBT system had introduced first time from this season. He said that there were some teething problems due to some technical issues, which were being resolved at the earliest by the Food and Civil Supplies Department on priority so that this system to be made more streamline and also to ensure timely payment to the farmers.
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Secretary Mandi Board today visited the Mandis of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district to take stock of the ongoing procurement operations.
During interacting with various stakeholders in the Rahon, Nawanshahar and Balachaur mandis, Secretary clarified that there is no shortage of Bardana and state has sufficient stock thus not need to worry about it. He also assured that the Government was fully committed to procure every single grain of the farmers produce in these difficult times.
Emphasizing the need to strictly adhere to the health protocol especially the social distancing, Bhagat appealed all the stakeholders to comply with these preventive measures for their health and safety.
Divulging details about the preventive measures being taken in view of coronavirus, the Secretary said that Punjab Mandi Board has also made elaborate arrangements to strictly observe health protocol by providing 10,000 masks (N-95) and 10,000 bottles of sanitizers to its 5600 officials/staff so as to ensure smooth and hassle free procurement of wheat in difficult phase due to COVID-19 pandemic. Mandi Board also arranged another one lakh masks and 35,000 liters sanitizers for providing to the farmers during their arrival in purchase centres.