Procurement of paddy begins

Chandigarh, September 30, 2012: Paddy procurement operations for the Kharif Season 2012-13 across the state are set to begin in the state today as state government was fully geared up to clock the highest ever target in the state.

The State government  has made arrangements for the procurement of 150 lac MT of paddy in 1770 notified mandis/purchase centers against the expected arrival of 135 lac MT during the current Kharif season.

Disclosing this here today the spokesman of the Punjab government said that on the request of Punjab government Reserve bank of India has sanctioned a cash credit limit of Rs 16,674 crore for the month of October and remaining limit  would be released next month.

He said that state government had sent request for cash credit limit amounting to Rs.22509.90 crore for the procurement of 135 lac MT of paddy by the state procurement agencies.

Addine, he said that strict instructions have been issued that  payament to the farmers have to  be ensured within 48 hours after lifting. The state government has constituted Dispute Redressal Committees in every mandi/purchase center.

Besides that food and civil supplies department has already established  a 24 hours control room in headquarter and also in district offices, where farmers could contact in emergency.

He said that Punjab Mandi Board also made arrangements of water and shade for farmers. He said that state government would ensure the lifting of paddy within 72 hours of purchase

The spokesman further said that to check malpractices and short or extra measurement, Punjab Mandi Board and  food and civil supplies department have constituted teams for raids and Farmers could directly approach food and civil supplies department inspectors.  

He said that the state government has announced a policy for custom milling of khariff 2012-13 to ensure smooth operation of custom milling of paddy. The state government is also touch with the Director General Supplies & Disposal Ministry of Food & Civil Supplies GoI and Jute Commissioner for the adequate supply of gunny bags. He said that the procurement agencies would purchase paddy at the MSP of Rs.1250 per quintal for Common and Rs.1280 per quintal for Grade ‘A’ during the current Kharif season against Rs.1080 and Rs.1110 per quintal for these varieties during 2011-12. 

The state government has allotted PUNGRAIN 37.50 lac MT (25%), MARKFED 33 lac MT (22%), PUNSUP 24.50 lac MT (23%), Punjab State Warehousing Corporation 16.50 lac MT (11%), Punjab Agro Industries 13.50 lac MT (9%) and FCI 15 lac MT (10%) as its  share in Paddy procurement. According to state agriculture department 163.68 lac MT of Paddy production was expected from an area of 28.10 lakh hectares sown under crop this year.