Punjab eyes to procure 137 lakh tonne paddy

Punjab government today said it is eyeing to purchase 137 lakh tonne of paddy in coming kharif marketing season against 118 lakh tonne bought last year.
As many as 1,806 purchase centres have been set up across the state for paddy purchase.
Reviewing the arrangements for paddy procurement, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adaish Pratap Singh Kairon said all out efforts should be made to ensure smooth, hassle free and quick procurement and farmers should get timely payment for their produce.
Farmers have preferred non basmati varieties of paddy instead of basmati that is why more paddy arrival was anticipated in Punjab, he said.

Good quality sturdy gunny bags with accurate weight would be ensured while packing the produce, he said adding that the officers concerned have been especially asked to visit the mandis during the procurement and ensure smooth lifting.
The field staff would work day and night to procure the stocks even on Saturdays and Sundays and also on government holidays.
All district food and supply controllers and district mandi officers have been issued instructions to make requisite arrangement of power, sheds for the farmers, portable water supply and equipment to monitor the quality of paddy in each procurement centre, he said.