Asserting that 110 Lakh Metric Ton (LMT) paddy has been procured so far, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said that the entire process of procurement and lifting will be completed within a week.
The Chief Minister, interacting with the media persons after inspecting the grain markets, said that till October 30, around 112 LMT of paddy has arrived in the State mandis out of which nearly 110 LMT has been procured. “Out of this, 88 LMT has been lifted and a payment worth Rs 18,660 crore has been transferred, so far, to the farmers,” he said.
Reiterating the firm commitment of the State Government to procure every single grain of paddy, Mann said that during the current procurement season, not even a single complaint has been received from the farmers across the State.
“I am personally monitoring the entire procurement process to ensure that farmers do not face any sort of inconvenience. The State Government has taken path breaking initiatives to ensure smooth, hassle-free and transparent procurement of grains in the State,” said Mann adding that no stone will be left unturned to facilitate the farmers by ensuring foolproof procurement at micro level.
The Chief Minister further said that zoning of different districts of the State had given desired results. “This has enabled the State Government to have a correct assessment about the cropping pattern of the State to save water. Likewise, it has helped in ensuring regular supply of power to the farmers,” he said.
Mann Slams Bajwa for “Double Standards”
Lashing out at the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, Chief Minister said that before raising a question mark over the expenses made by the State Government to showcase Punjab in other states, the Congress leader must peep into their conscience and look at what their party is doing in other states. Asking Partap Singh “Bhajpa” to refrain from such double standards, Mann said that the State Government has full right to highlight its achievements in other states to attract more investments in the State.
“Joining BJP Does Not Give Clean Chit to Any One”
The Chief Minister also said that mere joining the BJP does not give clean chit to any individual. “Former Congress Minister Sunder Sham Arora had joined BJP in hope of getting safe haven for his misdeeds of plundering state’s wealth. However, former Minister is now behind bars for his sins and ironically a machine for counting notes has been recovered from his home,” he said.