Raghbir Singh Brar
Faridkot
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the rights of farmers. The wheat procurement process is progressing rapidly across the state, with payments totaling ₹20,500 crore already made to farmers.
This was stated by Punjab Food & Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak during his visit to the main grain market of Sri Muktsar Sahib. Interacting with the media, he emphasized that the government is ensuring smooth and prompt procurement of wheat directly from the farmers.
During the visit, the Minister held discussions with laborers, commission agents (arhtiyas), and farmers to understand their concerns and received updates from officials regarding the ongoing procurement operations in the district. He assured that no inconvenience is being caused to laborers working in the mandis, and all arrangements in the procurement centers are functioning efficiently.
The Minister also shared that the labor charges this year have been increased by 43 paise as compared to last year, benefitting the labor force with approximately ₹10 crore.
Responding to questions from the media, Cabinet Minister Kataruchak stated that the Punjab Government is ensuring that no farmer faces any issues while selling their wheat. He highlighted that strict instructions have been issued to all procurement agencies to ensure that farmers’ produce is purchased on the very day it arrives in the mandi.
While the mandated timeline for payment is 48 hours, the Punjab Government has been making payments within 24 hours. So far, 107 lakh tonnes of wheat have arrived in the mandis across the state, with a target of 124 lakh tonnes set for Central Pool procurement this season.
Minister Kataruchak further added that due to a bumper crop and favorable yields, the procurement target is expected to be achieved easily. Every grain of the farmers’ produce will be purchased, and the lifting process has been expedited. Strict action will be taken against anyone found negligent in this process.
Specifically in District Sri Muktsar Sahib, 5.79 lakh tonnes of wheat have been procured so far, with 21,387 metric tonnes purchased in the last 24 hours alone.
Prominent officials present during the visit included Abhijeet Kaplish, Deputy Commissioner, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Smt. Baljeet Kaur, SDM, Sukhwinder Singh Gill, District Food & Supplies Controller, Surjit Singh, Chairman, Market Committee, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Ajaypal Singh Brar, District Mandi Officer, Manjinder Singh Udang, Iqbal Singh, President, Kacha Arhtiya Association, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Amritpal Singh Brar, DFO.
