State eyes 200 lakh tonnes of paddy as procurement begins

CHANDIGARH: Punjab is expecting to procure 200 lakh tonnes of paddy this kharif season starting Monday. Arrangements have been made for smooth procurement, said a spokesman.

State food and civil supplies minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu has directed all the heads of the state procurements agencies as well as the general manager, Food Corporation of India, Punjab region, to personally supervise the paddy procurement operations in state beginning from October 1, said the spokesman, adding that 1,834 purchase centres have been set up.

The Centre has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy at ₹1,770 per quintal for grade A and ₹1,750 per quintal for the common variety of paddy.

The spokesman said Pungrain will procure 30%, Punsup 22%, Markfed 23%, Punjab Agro 10%, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation 10% and FCI 5% of the crop in the state.

Reviewing the arrangements, Ashu said all out efforts should be made to ensure smooth, hassle-free and quick procurement of paddy.

He said farmers of the state should not be put to any inconvenience while selling their produce in the mandis.

He issued directions for good quality sturdy gunny bales while packing the produce and also there was no shortage of bales for storage of grains.

THE CENTRE HAS FIXED THE MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE FOR THE KHARIF CROP AT ₹1,770 PER QUINTAL FOR GRADE A