RBI allows cash credit of Rs19K cr for paddy procurement in Pb

Reserve Bank today sanctioned cash credit up to Rs 18,972 crore for the ensuing paddy procurement season in Punjab for Kharif marketing season.
The RBI has sanctioned a cash credit limit of Rs 18,972 crore for the procurement of paddy in Punjab, state Food and Supplies Minister Adaish Pratap Singh Kairon said.
"The procurement has started in Punjab from today in the entire state," he said.
Punjab was eying to procure 137 MT of paddy this year as against 118 MT of paddy procured last year.
As many as 1,820 purchase centres have been set up across the state, he said.

After reviewing the arrangements with the officials for paddy procurement in the kharif season 2015-16, Kairon said that all out efforts have been made to ensure smooth, hassle free and quick procurement of produce on one hand and facilitate the farmers in getting timely payment on the other.

He categorically said that farmers of the state would not be put to any inconvenience for the sale of their produce in the mandis.
Kairon said that good quality gunny bags with accurate weight would be ensured while packing the produce.
He added that the officials concerned have been especially asked to visit the mandis during the procurement and ensure smooth lifting.

Punjab Mandi Board officials have also been asked to ensure adequate arrangements in mandis to save produce and to have proper sanitation facilities for people, he said.
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.
A control room has also been set up at the head quarters connected with all the purchase centres which would receive round the clock information, he said.