During the ongoing paddy procurement season in Punjab, the State Government has released the payment of Rs 5,334.54 crores directly into the accounts of nearly 1,84,409 farmers in a single day. Besides, Rs 1500 crores more has been approved for payment.
The MSP payment of Rs 5,334.54 crores has been released directly into the accounts of nearly 1,84,409 farmers in a single day on Saturday during the ongoing paddy procurement season in the State, while another Rs 1,500 crores has been approved for payment and would be released once the banks open on Monday,” said the state Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak.
The Minister said that 144 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) paddy has already been purchased in the season till Saturday.
Giving details of the MSP payments, the Minister said that total MSP payments of Rs 25,424.86 crores have been released directly in the bank accounts of farmers till Saturday, and nearly 6.5 lakh farmers have been benefitted from the MSP, so far.
Kataruchak reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to purchase every single grain produced with the sweat and toil of the farmer.
The state Principal Secretary (Food and Civil Supplies) Rahul Bhandari said that with the approval of cash credit limit (CCL) for November, the MSP payments have continued to be made seamlessly.
Bhandari also added that almost all paddy has been procured as well as lifted in the Majha belt and most of the arrivals now are being witnessed in the Malwa belt.
More than 98 per cent of the paddy procured before 72 hours has already been lifted as per reports received from districts.