DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab government is fully prepared for the wheat procurement that will begin on April 1, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said on Sunday.

He said all arrangements in the 'mandis' have been completed and now the government is waiting for the arrival of crops in the grain markets.

Kataruchak said the Punjab government has secured a cash credit limit (CCL) of Rs 28,000 crore for wheat procurement. Farmers will face no difficulties in receiving payments

for their crops.

According to a statement, the minister said adequate arrangements for gunny bags have been made, and these have been delivered in sufficient quantities to all procurement centres.

A total of 1,864 mandis and procurement centres have been equipped with all necessary arrangements to ensure that farmers face no inconvenience. Facilities such as water and medical treatment have been ensured in the mandis, along with several other essential

amenities, he said.

Additionally, around 700 temporary mandis have been prepared to be used if needed. Strict instructions have been issued to all departments involved in the procurement process. Kataruchakk emphasized that farmers are the backbone of Punjab, and the state's economy and rural development are based on agriculture. Hence, the Punjab government is working with full dedication to ensure the prosperity of farmers.

To ensure uninterrupted power supply, instructions have been issued to the Power Board, and the Punjab DGP has been tasked with maintaining law and order. All Deputy Commissioners have also been notified to ensure that farmers do not

face any issues during the procurement process.

Minister Kataruchakk referred to the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that the Chief Minister has clearly ordered that farmers should receive the full price for their crops, as per the MSP, within 24 hours. Kataruchakk mentioned that he has been visiting various mandis as a minister and holding meetings with relevant officials to review arrangements. This year, the government will ensure that farmers face no difficulties at all.

Kataruchakk assured that the Chief Minister's orders will be strictly followed and that the wheat procurement process will be made seamless and convenient for farmers. He warned that any department or official found negligent during the procurement process would face strict action from the government.

(editor@dailyworld.in)