Jalandhar, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Horticulture and Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat, Jalandhar Mayor Vineet Dhir and Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia on Thursday inaugurated paddy procurement for the season at the New Grain Market in Jalandhar City, directing procurement agencies to ensure smooth operations and timely lifting and payment to farmers.
Bhagat said around 10.84 lakh metric tonnes of paddy is expected to arrive at 79 purchase centres across Jalandhar district during the procurement season. He said elaborate arrangements have been put in place to ensure that every grain brought by farmers is purchased within the stipulated timeframe.
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy this year has been fixed at Rs 2,461 per quintal, he said.
The Minister directed officials to ensure that there is no delay in lifting the procured crop or making payments to farmers. He said the Punjab government was committed to ensuring a hassle-free procurement season and that any negligence in the process would be dealt with strictly.
The administration has made arrangements for drinking water, cleanliness, seating and shade facilities, tarpaulins and adequate availability of bardana at the mandis. Labour and transportation contracts have also been finalised to facilitate timely lifting of the procured crop.
Bhagat, Dhir and Walia interacted with farmers at the grain market and sought their feedback on the arrangements. Officials assured them that procurement and lifting operations would be closely monitored to ensure smooth functioning.
The officials also advised farmers to bring properly dried paddy to the mandis. The permissible moisture content is 17 per cent. Farmers were also advised to avoid harvesting at night.
Local farmer Kuldeep Singh said his paddy crop was procured immediately after he reached the mandi. He appreciated the arrangements made by the Jalandhar administration, including drinking water and seating facilities.
The Minister reiterated that the state government was committed to purchasing every single grain brought by farmers and ensuring timely payments during the procurement season.
Among those present at the inauguration were Halqa Incharge Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, SDM Shayri Malhotra, DFSC Harsharan Singh, DMO Arvinder Singh Sahi and representatives of the Aarti Association.
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