JALANDHAR
The Punjab Government is ensuring smooth wheat procurement in mandis while also making solid
arrangements for the convenience of farmers and labourers.
The government has also issued directives to make all necessary arrangements in view of the bad weather.
Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to protecting the crops of farmers from damage due to
adverse weather, the Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal instructed concerned officials to ensure
proper arrangements such as tarpaulins in all district mandis to protect wheat from getting wet. He said thatsince the weather has been inclement in recent days, necessary preparations should be made promptly. Hewarned that any negligence would not be tolerated.
Dr. Aggarwal said wheat procurement is continuing smoothly in the district’s mandis, and as of yesterday,
4,89,586 metric tons of wheat has been procured.
The Deputy Commissioner shared that 4,95,326 metric tons of wheat had arrived in the mandis, out of
which 4,89,586 metric tons was procured by various agencies. Specifically, Pungrain procured 1,59,967
metric tons, Markfed 1,33,969, Punsup 1,09,803, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation 55,863, FCI 25,601, and private traders 4,382 metric tons.
Dr. Aggarwal added that payments are being made promptly for the procured crop, and Rs. 1,152 crore have already been transferred to farmers' bank accounts.
He said that in addition to 79 permanent mandis, 23 temporary ones have been set up in the district to
handle the bumper wheat yield smoothly and efficiently. Officials have been instructed to ensure timely lifting of the procured crop.
Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to buying every grain of the farmers' harvest, Dr.
Himanshu Aggarwal assured that no problems would be allowed to arise in the mandis. He said that the
district administration's top priority is to complete the procurement process without any disruption.
To protect the environment, he also appealed to farmers not to burn wheat stubble and leftover residue, explaining that such burning reduces soil fertility and kills beneficial soil insects.