Around 61.01 lakh MT procured in Punjab, payment worth Rs 13073.07 crore made to farmers : CM Mann
Bassi Pathana/ Morinda(The Uttam Hindu): In wake of the massive damage caused to the paddy crops due to the floods in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday urged the Government of India (GOI) to give relaxation in the uniform specifications for Paddy procurement.
The Chief Minister, who inspected the ongoing procurement operations in the local grain market, said that the farmers of the state have suffered huge loss due to the flood fury in the state. He said that in wake of loss suffered by the food growers due to such inclement weather conditions the Government of India should give relaxation in uniform specifications for Paddy procurement because the moisture content, damaged and discoloured grains quantity in paddy has increased. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he has already requested the Union government in this regard to facilitate the farmers of the state as preliminary findings indicate damage and discolouration of paddy in several affected areas due to the unprecedented floods.
The Chief Minister further said that despite massive devastation caused by floods in the state, Punjab is still expected to contribute 170 LMT of paddy to the national pool. He said that elaborate arrangements have been made in Mandis to ensure that every grain produced through the hard work and dedication of Punjabi farmers is purchased in a smooth and hassle free manner. Bhagwant Singh Mann informed that the Punjab government has notified 1,822 regular purchase centers for procurement of paddy in KMS 2025–26, and that all these notified mandis have been duly allotted by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Punjab.
The Chief Minister revealed that till today, 63.49 lakh MT of paddy had arrived in the mandis, out of which 61.01 lakh MT had already been purchased. He said that, in line with the state government’s norm to ensure lifting within 72 hours of procurement, an impressive 91.80% lifting had been achieved. Bhagwant Singh Mann further mentioned that payments totaling Rs 13073.07 crore had already been made to farmers for the procured grains.
The Chief Minister said that due to the strenuous efforts made by the state government the procurement operation in the mandis has been very smooth and hassle free. He said that every effort is being made to facilitate the farmers in selling their produce so that they do not face any sort of inconvenience in the mandis. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to the concerted efforts made by the state government timely and prompt lifting of the crop is being ensured from the mandis for which transport facilities have been roped in, adding that payment was made to the farmers for their produce within 24 hours of the purchase of their yield.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister slammed the Union government for meting out step motherly treatment with the state especially in this hour of grave crisis. He said that the state is yet to receive Rs 1600 crore announced by the Prime Minister for the flood relief. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Union government should stop this maltreatment with the state which is the food bowl and the sword arm of the country.
The Chief Minister said that health, education, power, water and infrastructure are the top five priorities of his government and no stone is being left unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while the other political parties have always pursued the agenda of hatred and divisiveness, the state government has accorded top priority to these sectors. He said that the state government has set up Schools of Eminence across the state to impart quality education to the students.
The Chief Minister said that 265 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools have qualified for the JEE Mains exam. Likewise, he said that 44 students have cleared JEE Advanced and 848 students have qualified for NEET. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened in the last three years, and this number will soon cross 1,000 adding that so far these clinics have provided free medicine to 1.75 crore people.
The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government 90% of households in Punjab are receiving zero electricity bills, which has provided huge economic relief to the public. He said that Punjab has emerged as a lighthouse for the country with these power sector reforms adding that every effort is being made to make Punjab a frontrunner state in the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said after assuming charge his government has taken several key initiatives in the power sector adding that these power sector reforms will further strengthen the power sector in the state.
The Chief Minister said that he will formally extend an invitation to the President of India Droupadi Murmu to attend a series of events being organized by the state government to commemorate 350th martyrdom day of Ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. He said that the state government will make complete logistic and security arrangements for this gala event to make this a memorable experience for one and all by joining the auspicious event. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already chalked a number of events to commemorate this once in a lifetime event across the state in a befitting manner.
The Chief Minister said that these series of events will be organized with deep reverence and respect across the state and these historic events will primarily take place on the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib under the auspices of the state government. He said that the underlying message of the series of events will be to encourage the people to follow the high ideals of secularism, humanism and spirit of sacrifice as preached and practiced by the Ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, who had laid down his life to protect the right of freedom to worship and preserve human rights along with secular values. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was unique and unparalleled in the history of mankind and symbolized the crusade against injustice, tyranny and oppression.