The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, October 1
In a major relief to labourers involved in loading and unloading of grains in mandis, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday announced to enhance the Mandi Labour Charge by Rs 1 per quintal.
Chairing a meeting in wake of the ongoing procurement of the paddy, the Chief Minister said that in an unprecedented action, the state government has already enhanced the Mandi Labour Charge by Rs 1 per quintal. He said that this is a big relief for the labour working in the Mandis across the state and will be very helpful in giving impetus to the smooth procurement. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will put an additional burden of Rs 18 crore in state exchequer.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister directed the Ministers and MLAs to undertake visits in the Mandis and expedite the process of procurement of the paddy in the ongoing season adding that representative of people should ensure that the produce of the farmers that is brought in the Mandis is purchased and lifted at the earliest. He said that the entire process should be smooth and hassle free so that the farmers do not face any sort of inconvenience. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is the need of hour to ensure that the entire process of procurement is carried out without any sort of delay.
The Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the Mandis remain encroachment free and clean so as to avoid any sort of glut in the mandis during peak of season. He said that the Deputy Commissioner should ensure that the farmers do not face any sort of inconvenience to the farmers during the ongoing procurement season. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that purchase has already started in the mandis and is expected to pick up pace during the coming times.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government is sympathetic towards the genuine demands of the millers of the state. He said that they are already flagging off these demands with the union government for the early resolution of these demands. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause and every effort will be made to safeguard the interests of every section of society.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is expected to procure 185 LMT paddy to be brought into mandis by farmers during the procurement Season commencing October 1. He said that 32 Lakh hectares of area was currently under paddy cultivation in the state adding that Punjab is targetting procurement of 185 Lakh Metric Tonnes of paddy. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that CCL to the tune of Rs. 41,378 Crores for KMS 2024-25 has already been released by the RBI.
The Chief Minister said that the Government of India has fixed Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2320 per quintal for grade ‘A’ paddy this season. He said that the State procurement agencies, viz Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup, PSWC, along with FCI, will procure paddy on Minimum Support Price as per specification laid down by the Government of India. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that entire preparations for the smooth and hassle free procurement of the paddy has been made adding that the state government is committed for smooth and hassle free procurement and lifting of paddy.
The Chief Minister reiterated 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.
