Other States - Punjab   

Paddy procurement begins today

CHANDIGARH SEPT. 30. Foodgrain purchasing agencies in Punjab are all set for the annual paddy procurement season beginning tomorrow as the State expects a bumper crop of 130 lakh metric tonnes (MTs) within a month's time.

Against the backdrop of the Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh's dharna in New Delhi and farmers' agitations for hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy, the procurement agencies would be paying the last year's MSP of Rs 580 for Grade `A' and Rs 550 for ordinary variety for the arrivals this time as well.

In a statement issued here today, the Punjab Food and Civil Supply Minister, Avtar Henry, said the State Government has made elaborate arrangements for the crop's procurement, with all the procurement agencies directed to ensure smooth operation and facilitate farmers in sale of their produce.

As per the estimate of the Agriculture department, Punjab has been expecting a bumper paddy crop of 129.70 lakh MTs, out of which the marketable surplus was likely to be 125 lakh MTs, the Minister said.

Last year, the procurement agencies had procured 121.30 lakh MTs of paddy.

As many as 1,459 purchase centres have been allotted amongst the six procurement agencies including the Food Corporation of India (FCI), PUNSUP, Markfed, Punjab Warehouse Corporation and Punjab Agro Corporation.

Wherever necessary new more purchase centre would be opened with the consultation of the district administration.

The Minister assured farmers that every grain of paddy brought to mandis by them would be purchased at the MSP. For this purpose, he aid, all the procurement agencies and deputy commissioners have been given clear instructions to ensure that procurement operations start in full swing right from day one.

He said farmers would get their due payment within the stipulated time period. --UNI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Paddy procurement begins today
• Vigilance Bureau to quiz Badal
• Village amenities to be upgraded

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu