JALANDHAR
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal today kick-started paddy procurement at New Grain Market, Jalandhar City for this season. He directed the officials of procurement agencies to ensure smooth and hassle-free conduct of entire operations with a focus on facilitating farmers.
Divulging the details, the DC said that during this season as many as 11.20 lakh metric tonne paddy was expected to arrive across all 79 purchase centers in the districts and elaborate arrangements have already been put in place to procure every single grain. Likewise, timely lifting and payment would also be ensured, he said adding any kind of delay in this task would be highly unwarranted. He also informed that so far 8739 MT paddy crop has arrived in the district. He reiterated that Punjab Government was committed to purchasing every single grain brought by farmers within a stipulated time frame.
He also added that arrangements like availability of potable water, cleanliness, shades, tarpaulins, and bardana among others were already made by the officials. Stressing on lifting and payment to farmers, he directed the officials that no stone be left unturned to make timely payments to farmers and all the payments be made promptly. There was sufficient availability of Bardana in Mandis which would lead to a hassle-free season for farmers, he added.
Meanwhile, the DC also interacted with some of the farmers present on the occasion and took their valuable feedback about arrangements made by the officials at grain markets. He stated that all labour and transport contracts were already in place and the lifting would be carried out swiftly. He said that the entire procurement operation would be accomplished smoothly as any kind of negligence would be dealt with strictly. He urged farmers to bring only dried crops in the Mandis and stay away from harvesting during nighttime.
Jarnail Singh, a farmer from Seh Jhangi village said that all his paddy crop was procured immediately after he reached the Mandi. He hailed the arrangements made by Jalandhar Administration for smooth procurement operations as promised by the government.
Another farmer, Hari Singh from Gakhal village shared his experience at New Grain Market. He mentioned that his crop was purchased immediately after reaching in the Mandi. He further stated that proper arrangements for drinking water, chairs, etc. were made by the market commitee.
Speaking on the occasion, Aarti Ravinderpal Singh said that the administration has ensured proper arrangements at the grain markets. Farmers have expressed satisfaction with the elaborate procurement operations. He thanked the Punjab Government and Jalandhar Administration for giving top priority to procurement season. District Mandi Officer Mukesh Kaile, DFSC Narinder Singh, and representatives of the Aarti Association were also present on the occasion.