To ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement of paddy, the Punjab Government has decided in principal to allow farmers to transport paddy from grain markets to godowns through their own tractor trolleys.
“The exercise is put in place keeping in view the larger interests of farmers to lift purchased paddy quickly and ease congestion in the grain markets (mandis) during Kharif season,” said Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal while video conferencing with Deputy Commissioners to review paddy procurement process and other social security schemes including Atta-Dal and pensions schemes.
He said that the paddy transportation costs to the farmers would be handed over as per the charges fixed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for commercial vehicles.
Deputy Chief Minister asked the DCs to promulgate necessary orders regarding the new system under Section 144 ensuring complete ban on paddy harvesting by the combines during night in their respective districts from 7 pm till 7 am. “The violation of these orders would result in confiscation of harvester combines for the entire paddy season,” he said.
Sukhbir also directed the FCI and the state procurement agencies to ensure timely purchase, swift lifting and proper storage of paddy in an efficient and hassle-free manner so as to minimize the difficulties of farmers.
Reviewing social security schemes, Sukhbir instructed the DCs to send teams to personally visit the villages and get certification from Gram Panchayats by October 1 about the veracity of beneficiaries of Atta-Dal scheme and pension schemes by displaying lists of present beneficiaries in the villages.
Besides, he has also sought a detailed report from the teams regarding status of rural water supply schemes as well as total number of water supply connections issued to the habitants.
Ensuring proper involvement of public representatives and nominated members of various district level planning, advisory and grievances committees to resolve the problems and redress plaints of citizens, he asked the district administration to hold monthly meetings and issues identity cards to the nominated members at the earliest and send the consolidated reports to the secretary coordination.