-36.66 LMT WHEAT ARRIVED IN STATE MANDIS, 34.22 LMT PROCURED SO FAR
– MANDI BOARD ISSUES 6.16 LAKH PASSES TO FARMERS THROUGH ARTHIYAS
CHANDIGARH, APRIL 24: With total arrival of 36.66 LMT of wheat and procurement of 34.22 LMT in all 22 districts across state during 10 days of ongoing procurement operations amid curfew/lockdown, the Sangrur district leads the tally.
Disclosing this here today, Additional Chief Secretary Development Viswajeet Khanna pointed out that the entire procurement operations were going on seamlessly in a planned and result oriented manner. He said that the elaborate arrangements put in place by the State Mandi Board in wake of Covid-19, had led to arrival of nearly 37 LMT of wheat during current Rabi Marketing season as compared to 26.04 LMT, of which 21.25 LMT was procured till April 24 last year with commencing of procurement operations from April 1, 2019.
The ACS further said that 4.71 LMT wheat has alone arrived in the mandis of Sangrur district, of which 4.45 LMT had been procured till April 24. He stated that after Sangrur, Patiala and Bathinda are amongst the districts with maximum arrival of wheat in the state i.e. 4.16 LMT and 3.33 LMT respectively.
Divulging details about the hassle free procurement of wheat, Viswajeet Khanna said that Punjab Mandi Board had already ensured fool-proof arrangements due to coronavirus restrictions and decided to issue passes to farmers through Arthiyas in order to avoid crowd and congestion in Mandis besides ensuring staggered movement of wheat arrival at designated purchase centres. He said that 6.16 lakh passes had been issued so far to the farmers across the State.
Lauding the efforts of Mandi Board officers/officials and other authorities for strict compliance of directions issued for hassle free procurement operations, the ACS thanked all the stakeholders especially the farmers for maintaining health protocol including the social distance to keep the spread of coronavirus under check.
