Chandigarh: Punjab has finalised a massive logistical operation for its annual wheat procurement season, deploying nearly Rs 31,000 crore in credit to shore up the state’s agricultural backbone.The procurement drive, which officially begins April 1, comes amid strict directives from the food and civil supplies ministry to prevent the illegal cross-border smuggling of grain from neighboring states into Punjab’s regulated markets (mandis). The state govt has secured a cash credit limit (CCL) of Rs 30,973 crore for the month of April alone to ensure timely payments to farmers. While the official procurement target is set at 122 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), authorities have prepared infrastructure to handle a potential surge of up to 132 LMT.To manage this volume, the state has established 1,897 permanent procurement centres, 266 temporary yards to alleviate congestion and a minimum support price (MSP) fixed at Rs 2,585 for each quintal. Punjab minister Lal Chand Kataruchak has ordered district food supply controllers (DFSCs) to maintain “strict vigil,” particularly in districts bordering other states, to ensure that only Punjab-grown wheat benefits from the state’s procurement infrastructure and price guarantees.Officials have been directed to personally monitor grain markets to prevent irregularities and ensure that basic amenities — including electricity, potable water, and sanitation — are available for farmers and labourers.Storage ChallengeA primary concern for the administration is the “clogging” of storage space. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann has formally requested the Union govt to expedite the movement of existing grain stocks out of the state to make room for the incoming harvest. To support the harvest, DFSCs are coordinating the distribution of essential supplies, including gunny bales (jute bags) for packaging, besides wooden crates and tarpaulins for moisture protection. The state has also launched a dedicated control room (0172-2233001) to monitor the supply of petroleum products and address public grievances in real-time throughout the procurement window. MSID:: 129931101 413 |
