Punjab Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker and Garhshankar MLA Jai Krishan Singh Rouri today visited various grain markets in the constituency to review arrangements for the procurement of paddy. Deputy Speaker Rouri visited Rur Majara, Samundra, Panam, Garhshankar, Megowal, Mahilpur and Moranwali, where he interacted with farmers, commission agents and officials associated with the procurement process.
On the occasion, Deputy Speaker Rouri took detailed information regarding the arrival, procurement and lifting of paddy, availability of gunny bags, payments and other arrangements at the markets. He also directly interacted with farmers who had brought their produce to the markets and enquired about the difficulties they were facing. He said that farmers should not face any inconvenience while selling their produce and directed officials to work with complete seriousness in this regard.
Deputy Speaker Rouri said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to purchasing every grain of the farmers’ produce. He said that adequate arrangements have been made in the markets for the procurement of paddy and that the convenience of farmers is being given priority. He issued clear instructions to officials that any negligence or unnecessary delay in the procurement process would not be tolerated.
He said that along with the procurement of paddy, the lifting of the procured crop should also be expedited so that there is no unnecessary accumulation of produce in the markets and farmers can bring their next crop to the markets on time. He also sought daily updates from market officials and representatives of procurement agencies regarding procurement and lifting.
Rouri said that the farmers of Punjab are the backbone of the state’s economy and that the nation’s food reserves are filled through their hard work. Therefore, it is the government’s responsibility to provide farmers with a smooth and hassle-free environment for selling their produce. He said that facilities such as drinking water, cleanliness, lighting, seating arrangements and other essential amenities for farmers should also be ensured in the markets.
The Deputy Speaker appealed to farmers to bring their dry and quality produce to the markets in accordance with the standards prescribed by the government, so that the procurement process can be completed swiftly. He said that he himself is continuously monitoring the arrangements at the markets to ensure that farmers do not have to face any unnecessary inconvenience or harassment while selling their produce.
He directed officials to resolve farmers’ complaints on priority. He said that the paddy procurement season is extremely important for farmers and that during this period, the government, administration and procurement agencies should work in close coordination.
On the occasion, farmers also shared their views with Deputy Speaker Rouri regarding the arrangements being made in the markets. He assured the farmers that the Punjab Government is taking every possible step to safeguard their interests and that no difficulty would be allowed to arise for farmers during the procurement of paddy.
Those present on the occasion included constituency organisational in-charge Charanjit Singh Channi, Market Committee Chairman Baldeep Saini, Block President Jagtar Kitna, concerned officials, market committee employees, commission agents, farmers and other prominent personalities of the area.