DW BUREAU / Chandigarh In a path breaking initiative aimed at safeguarding the interests of the farmers, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann gave nod to "The Punjab Custom Milling Policy for Kharif 2022-23" for converting the procured paddy into custom milled rice and delivery of the same to Food Corporation of India (FCI) through Rice Mills of state. A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held here at Punjab Civil Secretariat-I under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that this policy has been prepared for getting the Paddy procured by State Procurement Agencies (Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup and PSWC) converted into Custom Milled Rice and its delivery into Central Pool. As per the policy, the Rice Mills will be linked to the procurement centres in time as per the purchase centre allotment list issued by the Department and the paddy will be stored at the eligible rice mills as per their entitlement and agreement executed between the state agencies and the rice millers. Policy stipulates that the rice millers shall deliver the due rice of paddy stored up to March 31st, 2023 as per policy and agreement. The Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23 will start from October 1st, 2022 and the procurement of paddy will be completed by November 30th. During KMS 2022-23, the paddy so procured will be stored in eligible rice mills situated in the State. Pertinently, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab issues Custom Milling Policy every year before the commencement of the Kharif Marketing Season to get the paddy milled which is procured by the State Agencies as per the specifications laid down by the Government of India. The Cabinet also approved action plan of PSPCL for adoption and implementation of 'Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme' (RDSS). The implementation of RDSS will strengthen the distribution system, improve the operational efficiency and financial viability of PSPCL as well as quality and reliability of power supply to consumers. This Action Plan worth Rs 25,237 crore includes works pertaining to Distribution Infrastructure, Metering and Information Technology/ SCADA. With a motive to bring greater professional expertise towards building a citizen-centric and forward looking governance eco-system, the Punjab Cabinet also gave its consent to ink MoU with Nudge Life Skills Foundation (NLSF) for a period of 27 months. (editor@dailyworld.in)