Around 9.11 Lakh Metric Tonnes Of Wheat Expected To Be Procured From Ludhiana Mandis

Ludhiana, April 8, 2016: For the year 2016-17, around 9.11 lakh metric tonnes of wheat crop is expected to be procured from the mandis of Ludhiana district. Mr S K Sandhu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, today held a meeting with all the concerned officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, here today and took stock of the arrangements to be put into place. After the meeting, Mr Sandhu showed satisfaction over the plan and arrangements for the hassle free procurement of Wheat crop.
During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Mr Ravi Bhagat informed that this year, around 9.11 lakh metric tonnes of wheat crop is expected to be procured from the mandis by all government agencies of Ludhiana district. Last year, 7.84 lakh metric tonnes of wheat crop was procured in the district. He said that this year’s expected procurement would be 22 percent more than that of last year.
In Asia’s biggest grain market, the arrival of wheat crop has already started, whereas the arrival is expected in other mandis after April 15, 2016.
Mr Ravi Bhagat informed that Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup and FCI would be procuring 20 percent each, Warehousing Corporation would procure 11 percent and Punjab Agro 9 percent. He said that adequate staff has already been deputed in all 101 mandis of the district and material such as crates, covers and others are already available with the government agencies. He said that all arrangements regarding loading, transport, labour and storage, have already been put into place, whereas more than 85 percent of the required “bardana” is available with the agencies. He assured that the district administration would carry out the procurement in a hassle free, fair and transparent manner.
Mr S K Sandhu made it clear to all the concerned officials that the Punjab government is committed for carrying out procurement of wheat in a hassle free, fair and transparent manner. He said that both Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal have issued strict instructions that the farmers should not face any problem in mandis. He directed the staff that there should be adequate arrangements of seating, water, electricity and others for the farmers. Mr Sandhu said that any delay in procurement would not be tolerated and departmental action would be taken against the guilty officials. He said that the procurement would be reviewed by the Chief Minister personally on daily basis.
Prominent among those who attended the meeting included ADC (General), ADC (Khanna), Deputy Director Food & Civil Supplies Department, both DFSC’s and officers from all procurement agencies.