116 lakh tonnes wheat procured in Punjab

Chandigarh, May 20, 2014: The procurement process of wheat in Punjab is still in full swing with various Government agencies and private millers procuring more than 11617706 tonnes of wheat till last evening against 11033614 tonnes procured on the date last year. He said that the procurement process is being conducted in 1757 procurement centres all over the state. The Spokesman reiterated the commitment of Punjab Government to procure total wheat coming to the mandis of Punjab despite meeting the procurement target.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that instructions have already been issued to make payment to farmers within 48 hours of lifting of their produce and Rs. 14580.47 crore has already been paid to farmers.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 11617706 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centres of Punjab, Government agencies procured 11339395 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 278311 tonnes of wheat. Till May 19, MARKFED procured 2518558 tonnes (21.7%), PUNSUP procured 2397881 tonnes (20.6%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 1389355 tonnes (12.0 %) PSWC procured 1312015 tonnes (11.3%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1136729 tonnes (9.8 %) of wheat. The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1813411 tonnes (15.6%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1019173 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 894592 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Bathinda with 838427 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.