Chandigarh, April 17: As many as 29.65 LMT of Wheat arrivedso far in mandis across the state of which 25.61 LMT i.e 86.37 percent has beenprocured within a period of just one week from April 10 despite the challengingtask amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Expressing satisfaction over the ongoing wheat procurementoperations and arrangements put in place to facilitate all stakeholders, theSecretary Mandi Board and Director Food & Civil Supplies Ravi Bhagatpointed out that district Sanguru is leading in terms of Wheat arrival where4.76 LMT of Wheat had arrived in the mandis, followed by Patiala and Mansa with3.87 LMT and 2.32 LMT respectively. He said that the targeted procurement ofWheat in the state is 130 LMT during ongoing Rabi Marketing Season.
He also revealed that 5.74 lakh passes have already beengiven to farmers through Arthiyas by Mandi Board and various Market Committeesin view of the staggered movement of wheat due to COVID-19.
Regarding the problems faced by farmers delay of croppayment, Mr Bhagat pointed out that the DBT system had introduced first timefrom this season. He said that there were some teething problems due to sometechnical issues, which were being resolved at the earliest by the Food andCivil Supplies Department on priority so that this system to be made morestreamline and also to ensure timely payment to the farmers.
Secretary Mandi Board today visited the Mandis of ShaheedBhagat Singh Nagar district to take stock of the ongoing procurementoperations.
During interacting with various stakeholders in the Rahon,Nawanshahar and Balachaur mandis, Secretary clarified that there is no shortageof Bardana and state has sufficient stock thus not need to worry about it. Healso assured that the Government was fully committed to procure every singlegrain of the farmers produce in these difficult times.
Emphasizing the need to strictly adhere to the healthprotocol especially the social distancing, Bhagat appealed all the stakeholdersto comply with these preventive measures for their health and safety.
Divulging details about the preventive measures being takenin view of coronavirus, the Secretary said that Punjab Mandi Board has alsomade elaborate arrangements to strictly observe health protocol by providing10,000 masks (N-95) and 10,000 bottles of sanitizers to its 5600officials/staff so as to ensure smooth and hassle free procurement of wheat indifficult phase due to COVID-19 pandemic. Mandi Board also arranged another onelakh masks and 35,000 liters sanitizers for providing to the farmers duringtheir arrival in purchase centres.