JALANDHAR
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal today chaired a meeting with various officials at theDistrict Administrative Complex, directing them to ensure faster lifting of paddy from the grain markets. He emphasized that no leniency should be shown in the procurement arrangements and that adequate facilities must be provided to farmers and labourers engaged in this mammoth exercise. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner informed that till last evening, 1,46,218 metric tonnes of paddy had arrived in the markets, out of which 1,43,763 metric tonnes have already been procured by various procurement agencies.
. Dr. Aggarwal mentioned that payments worth Rs. 337 crores have been ensured to farmers within the stipulated time for the paddy purchased so far. Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to procure every single grain of paddy, Dr. Aggarwal said that the district administration is ensuring that farmers face no inconvenience in the markets. He directed officials to continuously monitor market arrangements so that no difficulties arise for farmers or labourers. Appealing to farmers to bring dry paddy to the mandis, he said that paddy should be brought as per the moisture content norms fixed by the government to avoid any kind of issues during sale. He also urged farmers to use Super-SMS with combine harvesters and to carry out harvesting between 10 AM and 6 PM only.