DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Saturday held a review meeting with the top brass of the officers of Department of Food and Civil Supplies and directed to coordinate with Police Department for deployment of teams at Inter-State borders to ensure that no illegal recycled paddy/rice from outside the state is allowed to enter Punjab during the ensuing Kharif Season, to guard against bogus billing of paddy.

Expressing satisfaction at the arrangements for procurement of paddy, the Minister said that the State Government is fully geared up for ensuring another seamless procurement experience for the farmers.

Reiterating the commitment of the Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann to ensure a hassle-free and smooth procurement season for all stakeholders, the Minister asked the top officials to consider all genuine issues of the Rice Millers of the State including the lack of space with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) which has also been raised with the Central Government at the top level.

During the Meeting, the Principal Secretary Food, Sh Vikas Garg apprised the Minister that the Union Ministry - in response to the State Government's demand for enough space for delivery of rice of KMS 2024-25 - has given a written assurance for creating 40 LMT space by December 2024, while providing movment for 15 LMT by October end.

The Minister directed the Department to ensure movement of stocks in close coordination with the FCI and DFPD, GOI so that required storage space is created for delivery of rice of KMS 2024-25.

The reduction in export duty for Rice Exports by GOI should also lead towards the creation of space for foodgrains, the Minister noted.

Pertinently, the State is expected to procure 185 LMT paddy to be brought into mandis by farmers during the Season commencing October 1.

With 32 Lakh hectares of area under paddy cultivation, Punjab is targetting procurement of 185 Lakh Metric Tonnes, for which CCL to the tune of Rs. 41,378 Crores for Kharif Season 2024-25 has already been released by the RBI. In the Meeting, the Minister was apprised by the Principal Secretary Food & Supplies that the concerns of Millers including regarding restoration of the driage charges to 1% of MSP, reimbursement of transportation charges for delivering rice to far flung places have been taken up at the highest level in GoI/DFPD.

The Minister asked the PSFS to continuously liaison with the Central Ministry officials to ensure timely and effective resolution of all genuine issues of Rice Millers.
(editor@dailyworld.in)