With the wheat procurement season set to begin on April 1, the Punjab Government has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure a smooth process across the state’s mandis. Punjab’s Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk on Sunday assured farmers that they would face no issues regarding payments, facilities, or logistics.
Kataruchakk announced that the Punjab Government has secured a Rs 28,000 crore cash credit limit (CCL) for wheat procurement, ensuring that farmers receive payments within 24 hours of selling their crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). “Farmers are the backbone of Punjab’s economy, and it is our duty to make the procurement process as seamless as possible," he said.
The state government has designated 1,864 mandis and procurement centers for wheat procurement, with an additional 700 temporary mandis ready to be activated if needed. Kataruchakk stated that gunny bags have already been supplied in sufficient numbers to all procurement centers. The government has also made special arrangements for electricity, drinking water, and medical assistance in mandis to ensure farmers’ comfort.
To maintain law and order, Punjab DGP and all Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to oversee security at procurement centers. Additionally, Punjab’s Power Board has been directed to ensure an uninterrupted power supply in mandis, preventing any disruptions in procurement activities.
Kataruchakk reaffirmed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s directive that farmers should be paid on time, with MSP payments directly transferred into their bank accounts within 24 hours. “The Chief Minister has made it clear that no farmer should have to wait for their rightful earnings,” he said.
The Minister, who has been personally inspecting mandis, assured that all procurement agencies were on high alert to address any issues. He also issued a stern warning to officials, stating that any negligence or mismanagement during the procurement process would invite strict action from the government.
Kataruchakk emphasized that the entire system has been streamlined to avoid delays and malpractices that plagued previous governments.
