Chandigarh/Banga, April 21, 2023 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab has procured about 45 lakh MT of wheat in state Mandis by the previous day, said Punjab Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak. The minister was here to take stock of the procurement operations at Banga Mandi in SBS Nagar district today.
He said that a payment of Rs 7300 crore has been transferred to the accounts of two lakh Farmers, so far without imposing any value cut as recommended by the Government of India. ” Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strictly ordered the state Procurement agencies to pay full amount of the wheat without any further loss to the farmers,” said Food Minister by adding that it (value cut) would be sheer injustice and add the woes of the Farmers fraternity who were already reeling under the wrath of the heavy rains, which had played havoc with their crop .
He said that the Government of India shouldn’t have imposed this value cut on the farmers as the state farmers have already contributed a lot to the country’s food bowl.
He said the stress is being given to make purchase and release payment immediately to avoid any further difficulty to the farmers. He said by doing so, we are trying to heal the trauma given by the natural disasters to the farmers.
Interacting with the farmer, Makhan Singh who was there to sell out his produce, the minister asked him about an difficulty, if they have been facing in the Mandis, but the farmers appreciated the government’s move of uninterrupted Procurement arrangements.
He also enquired about the arrangements done by the Market Committees in the Mandis from the labourers working there but they expressed satisfaction over the arrangements except for demand of some more toilet sets. The minister on the spot directed the Mandi board officials to arrange more units by the next Procurement season.
Responding to a media query about the verification of Blue Cards (Atta Dal Scheme) , the minister said that the process is going on without any interference and it will be assured that the legitimate beneficiaries could get the benefit.
Earlier, the minister visited Nawanshahar DC Office meeting hall to chair the review meeting of the procurement agencies. He asked them to bring difficulty, if any, into his notice and directed to maintain the pace in purchase. He asked them to enhance the lifting too.
He was accompanied by the Director Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs, Ghanshyam Thori.
The minister was welcomed at Nawanshahar by MLA Balachaur Mrs Santosh Kataria, DPC Chairman Satnam Jalalpur, Senior AAP Leader Banga Kuljit Singh Sarhal besides DC NPS Randhawa and SSP Bhagirath Singh Meena.
CLICK HERE to Subscribe to YesPunjab Telegram Channel & receive Important News Updates
