Punjab, known as the ‘Granary of India’, is witnessing an upswing in paddy procurement as the sun breaks through after a three-day rainy spell. Punjab’s Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Wednesday announced a record-breaking achievement with 18 lakh bags of paddy being lifted in a single day across the State.

The favorable weather has paved the way for a smooth commencement of paddy lifting operations in all districts. In districts like Amritsar, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Ropar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Pathankot, and Tarn Taran, the process proceeded without a hitch. In several other districts, including Moga, Fatehgarh Sahib, SBS Nagar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Mansa, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Barnala, Sangrur, and more, paddy lifting operations have started with great enthusiasm.

Kataruchak underscored that the seamless procurement of paddy is the top priority of the State Government. Of the 27 lakh metric tonnes (LMTs) of paddy arrivals, nearly 10 LMTs have already been successfully lifted and stored in eligible rice mills.

What is even more remarkable is the efficiency of the state's mandis. They are handling daily arrivals of 1-1.5 LMT of paddy, and almost all of it is being purchased on the same day. This demonstrates the remarkable coordination between the procurement process and farmers, ensuring that paddy is cleaned and acquired immediately upon arrival.

Despite the recent heavy rains in many parts of the state, the unsold paddy across Punjab is now less than a day’s worth of arrivals. This efficient operation showcases the dedication and commitment of Punjab's agricultural infrastructure.

Kataruchak also assured that all necessary arrangements, including bardana (bags), mandi labour, and transportation, are adequate throughout the state. Farmers are being supported in every way possible to ensure a smooth procurement process.

Notably, the Government has disbursed nearly Rs 5100 crores directly into the accounts of farmers as part of Minimum Support Price (MSP) payments. The State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to support every grain produced by hard-working farmers.

Punjab Cong warns of protest deadline over paddy procurement crisis

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday issued an ultimatum to the Punjab government, warning of a massive protest if paddy procurement is not initiated within the next 48 hours. The move comes as the ongoing strike by rice millers has resulted in a significant crisis for the state’s farming community.

Warring, addressing the media, emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need to prioritize the farmers’ welfare. He lamented that the crisis had cast a shadow over the upcoming festive season, impacting a significant part of the state's economy deeply dependent on agriculture.

Taking a tour of Patiala district to assess the problems faced by paddy growers due to the strike by rice millers across the state, Warring highlighted that the farmers’ paddy crops were deteriorating as they had been unable to procure their produce due to the strike.

“The farmers of Punjab have already endured substantial hardships, including the recent floods that afflicted the region. After three long months, they continue to grapple with adversities,” he added.

Warring asserted that the ground reality of paddy crops decaying in mandis starkly contradicted the claims made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government, which had stated that paddy procurement was proceeding smoothly.

The strike by rice millers, protesting against Food Corporation of India (FCI) guidelines, has resulted in approximately 66 per cent of paddy stocks remaining uncollected across the State. As of October 15, only 7.83 lakh tonnes of paddy have been lifted. With the ongoing harvest across the State, there is an expectation of a peak in production within a week, further exacerbating the space shortage in mandis for paddy storage.

Warring suggested a potential solution to the government, recommending that they proactively procure the produce and store it in government warehouses until the strike concludes. This approach would ensure the completion of the harvesting process and relieve the immediate challenges faced by farmers.