Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Urges Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Ensure Smooth Procurement Operations Amidst Hiccups

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Urges Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Ensure Smooth Procurement Operations Amidst Hiccups

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene in the ongoing challenges faced by the procurement process in the state. In a telephonic conversation, Mann briefed Shah about the obstacles hindering the smooth procurement of crops, specifically highlighting issues related to transportation costs, storage shortages, quality concerns over hybrid paddy varieties, and the financial losses suffered by sheller owners. The Chief Minister emphasized that resolving these issues is crucial for ensuring the smooth procurement of grains in the state and protecting the interests of farmers, Arthias (middlemen), and millers, who are the backbone of the country’s food security system.

Mann explained to the Union Home Minister that Punjab is expecting a bumper crop this year, with an anticipated yield of 185 lakh metric tons of paddy. The state government has taken extensive measures to ensure smooth procurement, but the process is facing delays due to unresolved issues related to millers. Problems such as limited storage space, drying of paddy (Driage), and transportation logistics are directly linked to decisions from the central government. The Chief Minister had already raised these concerns with the Centre, and a meeting between millers and the Union government has been scheduled for Wednesday in New Delhi to address the matter.

The Chief Minister urged the Union government to consider the genuine demands of millers, such as the need for adequate storage facilities and efficient transportation systems, to ensure that the procurement process can be carried out efficiently. Mann expressed hope that the meeting between millers and the Centre would lead to a positive outcome, facilitating the completion of procurement operations in a timely manner.

Mann reiterated that the state government is fully committed to ensuring a hassle-free and smooth procurement process. However, the delay in milling from the previous marketing season has led to a storage bottleneck, with 120 lakh metric tons of storage space still occupied. This space must be freed up immediately for further milling to take place and prevent any disruptions in the current season’s procurement efforts.

The Chief Minister stressed the importance of resolving these issues swiftly for the sake of national food security and the effective functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS). As the wheat season is approaching, Mann underscored that it is in the larger interest of the country to address these challenges without delay.

Additionally, Mann raised the issue of the pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) share owed to Punjab by the Centre. He noted that the Punjab government has already completed all necessary formalities regarding the RDF, and now it is imperative for the Union government to release these funds promptly. Mann asserted that states should not be treated as beggars, and the Centre must fulfill its obligations by providing states with their rightful share of funds without unnecessary delays.

Punjab, being a significant contributor to the nation’s food production, requires the Centre’s immediate attention to ensure that the interests of its food growers are safeguarded. The Chief Minister urged the Union government to take swift action to resolve the procurement issues and release the pending RDF funds, ensuring smooth agricultural operations and food security across the country.

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