The Centre on Wednesday assured Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would be directed to release Rs 20,683 crore cash credit limit (CCl) to the State for wheat procurement.
The assurance by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely came after Capt Amarinder met him at his residence in New Delhi to seek immediate authorisation and release of Rs 20,683 crore CCl for smooth and timely procurement of wheat.
Capt Amarinder informed Jaitley that a proposal seeking CCl had already been sent to the RBI.
The State Government hopes to procure over 100 lakh metric tons of wheat in this season, commencing on April 1.
The State plans to put in place by March 25 all arrangements for wheat procurement.
“Jaitley assured the chief minister of the Centre's full cooperation in ensuring that the farmers in Punjab do not face any problem in the procurement of their grain,” said Chief Minister's media adviser Raveen Thukral.
Describing the luncheon meeting as “fruitful”, Capt Amarinder thanked the Finance Minister for his prompt and positive response. The two had faced each other in 2014 Amritsar lok Sabha elections, in which Capt Amarinder had defeated BJP stalwart in his first ever elections by more than one lakh votes.
Capt Amarinder, accompanied by the state Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, pointed out that Punjab was the largest contributor to the central pool of food grains, requested the Ministry of Finance to ensure timely authorization of CCl.
The chief minister had on Saturday directed all district collectors to personally monitor the procurement process and ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement of wheat. Arrangements are being made on war-footing to streamline the procurement process in all 1,800 mandis of Punjab.
Capt Amarinder, who is in-charge of Food and Civil Supplies department, has also cancelled all labour and transportation tenders finalized for the wheat procurement process by the previous SAD-BJP government. Fresh tenders have already been called for.
The chief minister has issued stringent orders to ensure that the farmers and commission agents do not face any problems in the mandis.
The state Mandi Board has been directed to provide all basic amenities and facilities in the mandis, in addition to smooth and timely payments, as well as complete transparency in the process, which the new government has decentralized to make it more structured and effective.