Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday reiterated his Government’s commitment to ensure that every single grain of the farmers is lifted from the mandis.
“I have already written to the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to resolve the moisture content issue,” he said, adding that the problem had arisen due to untimely and excessive rainfall just ahead of the harvest.
Capt Amarinder, while addressing the media after inaugurating the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, said that in his communication to the Union Minister, he had sought driage at the rate of 2 per cent instead of one percent of the minimum support price (MSP) so as to ensure hassle-free and uninterrupted procurement for the remaining Kharif Season.
On the issue of shortage of doctors in the Government hospitals, the Chief Minister said that 588 doctors would be posted shortly in all hospitals.
He said that he was in favour of posting of doctors close to their place of residence to ensure more effective functioning.
To a question on the ongoing teachers’ protest, the Chief Minister said that the Government had given a fair offer to teachers to either join regular services as probationers or continue on contract basis, and “it is up to them now to accept or reject the offer”.
Regarding the poll promise of smart phones for eligible youth, the Chief Minister said that the process of tendering had already been initiated and the distribution of phones would begin soon.
Asked on the announcement of candidates for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Capt Amarinder said that would be done after the polls are announced.