Punjab may achieve a new record in wheat procurement as the State government is all set to begin the biggest-ever procurement operations from April 1.
According to the Agriculture Department, 161.59 lakh MT of wheat production is expected to be procured this year. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adaish Partap Singh Kairon and Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh reviewed the procurement procedure of wheat crop on Tuesday, at a meeting with managing directors of all procurement agencies.
Giving details, an official spokesman said the State Government on Tuesday notified 1,770 mandis or purchase centers for procurement of wheat.
“This year, the Government has made arrangements for record procurement of 140 lakh metric tonnes of wheat against 129.35 lakh MT procured in the last season. The procurement agencies would purchase wheat at MSP of Rs1,350 per quintal during the current Rabi season,” he added.
The Government has allotted PUNGRAIN, MARKFED, PUNSUP 20 per cent share each for wheat procurement, while Punjab State Warehousing Corporation gets 11 per cent, Punjab Agro Industries nine per cent and Food Corporation of India (FCI) 20 per cent share of wheat procurement.
The official said that State agencies would procure 112 lakh MT and FCI 28 lakh MT. He said that payments would be made within 48 hours and lifting within 72 hours. The Government has made arrangements for gunny bags. He said the Government had make arrangements of 65 lakh MT additional storage facilities.