Farmers to get more than rs
- Posted: April 16, 2022
- Updated: 12:22 am
DW BUREAU / chandigarh
Government of Punjab shall be transferring more than Rs. 2000 crores into farmers bank accounts in lieu of MSP payments on Saturday.
Disclosing this today, a spokesperson of the State Government said that Rs. 828 crore had already been transferred to the farmers so far. Now the Department has processed and approved payments worth Rs. 2137 crore which will be credited by the banks directly into the accounts of the farmers tomorrow.
Responding to a query about the ongoing visits of the Central Teams to assess the extent of shrivelled grains arriving in the Mandis, he said that the teams had already surveyed 17 districts and it was expected that the remaining six districts would be covered tomorrow.
On the expected disruption in procurement due to overnight rain and consequent stagnant water in the Mandis, he said that the Mandi Board officials had worked overnight to ensure that the Mandis were cleared of any stagnant water and consequently there was not even a minute of disruption in procurement operations today.
Divulging further on the ongoing status of procurement the spokesperson said that wheat arrivals had peaked in the state with more than 8.2 lakh tonnes of wheat arriving in a single day today. So far 36 lakh tonnes of wheat had arrived in the Mandis and the State Procurement Agencies had already procured 33 lakh tonnes of wheat. The total quantity of unsold wheat lying across the state is just 3 lakh tons which is 40% of a single day's arrival, showing thereby that the Mandi operations are going on very smoothly and more than 60% of the day's arrival is being purchased on the same day itself, he added.
The spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to ensure that the farmers' produce is purchased on priority and due payments are credited into their bank accounts within 48 hours of purchase.
Mann govt likely to announce 300 units of free power: Sources
Chandigarh The Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab which completes one month in office on Saturday is likely to announce 300 units of free electricity to households, sources said on Friday. They said the announcement is likely to be made on Saturday.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had on Tuesday said his government will soon give "good news" to the people of the state, indicating it could announce free power supply to households.
The Aam Aadmi Party had made the promise in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly polls. While making the announcement last year, Kejriwal had, however, not clarified whether 300 units of free power will be given per month as Punjab has a two-month billing cycle.
A few days ago, AAP spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang had told the media here that the the Punjab government's blueprint for giving 300 units of free electricity to people is almost ready and soon an announcement will be made.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Singh Khaira said on Friday he has learnt that the AAP government in the state will impose "tubewell bills" on farmers having land holdings of 10 acres and above.
"I have learnt that @BhagwantMann govt is going to mischievously to do cross subsidy! They'll impose tubewell bills on 10 acre & above farmers and will then give 300 units free out of that savings! This cheating was never specified by ArvindKejriwal while giving this guarantee!" Khaira tweeted.
The state currently provides free power to the agricultural sector. Besides, it provides 200 units of free power to all Scheduled Castes, backward castes and the below poverty line (BPL) households. / PTI /
(editor@dailyworld.in)