Punjab has successfully crossed 100 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) mark in wheat procurement despite several challenges, especially the ongoing second wave of amid COVID pandemic.
The state’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Thursday said that nearly 77 percent of total procurement operations had already been accomplished within 19 days after commencement of wheat procurement from April 10.
“Out of the total estimated arrival of 130 LMT of wheat, the state mandis recorded the arrival of 101.86 LMT so far, of which 100.17
LMT had been procured during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS),” he said.
Pertinently, nearly 164 percent more wheat arrived in mandis this year as compared to corresponding period of last year, with 62.44 LMT of wheat had arrived till date in the previous Rabi Marketing Season.
Ashu said that 10.12 LMT of wheat has alone arrived in the mandis of Sangrur district, of which 10.04 LMT had been procured till April 28. After Sangrur, Ludhiana and Patiala are amongst the districts with maximum arrival of wheat in the state — 8.25 LMT and 8.16 LMT respectively.
He added that 16.48 lakh passes have been issued so far to the farmers through arhtiyas to ensure staggered movement of wheat in mandis.
“The payment of Rs 15,500 crore has also been paid to 6,03,602 farmers under the newly implemented DBT system,” he said.
