Punjab Government is issuing mandi passes, which have been introduced to maintain social distance amongst the farmers in mandis, in large number on day to day basis, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, said on Saturday.
He said in view of the potential threat of coronavirus and curfew, for the ease of farmers to bring wheat crop to the mandis, the government issued 55930 passes to Arhtiyas and farmers for April 25 while 63290 passes have been issued for April 26.
"Captain Amarinder Singh led Government is committed to procure every single grain of the farmers amid the spread of this deadly disease and we are duty bound for the smooth procurement so that farmers never face any problem in marketing", he added.
Ashu said that about 7 lakh passes have been issued from the starting of the procurement i.e. April 15 to April 26. The Food Minister said that during this season, besides the smooth procurement of the farmers' produce, health of farmers, Arhtiyas, labourers and other staff and people involved in the process, is simultaneously important.