DW BUREAU / Kharar (Mohali)

Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain today visited Kharar Mandi and took stock of the ongoing wheat procurement operations. She assured the Arhtiyas (Commission Agents) of time-bound clearance of wheat stacks.

Interestingly, Jain while interacting with farmers, no one complained of procurement delay, rather they said that the procurement is running smoothly and they have no problem in selling their crop and getting timely digital payments. The Deputy Commissioner said that in the wake of space crunch in Kharar Mandi, the District Administration would raise the issue with the Mandi Board for setting up an additional Mandi too.

She said that the District Administration would not let farmers and Arhtiyas to face any problem in Mandis. A procurement review meeting is being held regularly to resolve the local level issue, if any, she added.

She asked the Markfed District Manager to focus on Kharar Mandi till the clearance of wheat sacks by accelerating the lifting with additional transportation mechanisms. She said that sacks of procured wheat and the peak of arrival season may result in a space crunch, if not cleared immediately. Deputy Commissioner said that the district has recorded an arrival of 81987 MT against the total expected arrival of 1.32 MT, so far. As the procurement is gaining momentum, we hope the major share will arrive at the Mandis by the next three or four days.

The district has registered a purchase of 81085 MT. Out of which, 29043 MT grain has been lifted. An amount of Rs 156.46 Crore has been paid to the farmers till the day, she added.

Similarly, in Kharar Mandi, the total arrival has been recorded at 7818 MT, out of which, 7798 MT has been procured. Till day, 4271 MT of procured wheat has been lifted.

SDM Kharar Gurmandar Singh and representatives of procurement agencies besides Arhtiyas and Farmers were also present on this occasion.
(editor@dailyworld.in)