Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Ensures Swift Lifting of Paddy in State’s Mandis to Aid Farmers

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Ensures Swift Lifting of Paddy in State’s Mandis to Aid Farmers

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken decisive action to ensure that the procurement of paddy across the state’s Mandis is conducted smoothly and without any delays, directing officers to expedite the lifting of paddy. This effort aims to prevent any potential hardships for the state’s farmers, who have long been at the forefront of making India self-sufficient in food production.

In a meeting held to review the ongoing procurement process, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of rapidly lifting the paddy from the Mandis, stressing that the farmers’ interests must be safeguarded. He acknowledged the vital role farmers play in contributing to the nation’s food security, recognizing that this has come at the cost of depleting Punjab’s natural resources, particularly water and fertile soil. This year alone, Punjab’s farmers are expected to contribute a significant 185 lakh metric tons of paddy to the national food reserve.

To support this massive agricultural contribution, the state government has set up 2,651 Mandis across Punjab, with arrangements in place to ensure a seamless procurement process. Mann highlighted that the Reserve Bank of India has already released a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) amounting to ₹41,378 crores for the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25, guaranteeing that farmers will receive timely payments for their produce. So far, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has cleared payments amounting to ₹4,027 crores, with 24.88 LMT of paddy arriving at the Mandis, of which 22.22 LMT has already been procured.

The Chief Minister made it clear that any officer found responsible for causing distress to farmers through delays or inefficiencies would face strict action. He assured that the state government is fully committed to protecting farmers from the burden of distress sales and will ensure that the procurement process remains hassle-free.

With a focus on ensuring efficiency, Mann urged officers to expedite the lifting of paddy on a “war footing.” His commitment to addressing the farmers’ needs, along with the state’s organized procurement framework, highlights the government’s proactive stance toward supporting agriculture and maintaining Punjab’s leadership in food production.

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