Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, holding an emergency meeting with all Deputy Commissioners to take stock of the ongoing wheat procurement arrangements in the state and the damaged crop due to unseasonal weather, ordered them to ensure that crops brought by the farmers in the mandi are purchased immediately. Along with this, the payment of the purchased crop within 48 hours should be ensured in the farmer's account.
Verma also ordered the Deputy Commissioners to hold daily meeting with the procurement agencies of their district to review the procurement taking place in every market of the district, besides issuing directions to DCs to visit the mandis personally.
DCs were also directed to immediately send a report to the government regarding the loss of farmers due to unseasonal rain. In village where crops have been damaged due to unseasonal rain, the DC or SDM should pay a personal visit.
Verma further informed that this season, there is a possibility of a total arrival of 132 lakh metric tons of wheat in the mandis. Out of this, 17.14 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has arrived so far, of which, 13.23 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has been purchased by the procurement agencies of the state. According to the rules, the wheat purchased has to be paid in to the account of farmers within 48 hours, he said adding that accordingly, the farmers have to be paid Rs 752 crore but they have been paid Rs. 898 crore so far. It means many farmers have been paid even before 48 hours.
The Chief Secretary ordered the Deputy Commissioners to pay special attention to the lifting of the purchased crop. He further said that daily special trains are being arranged by the state government by continuously coordinating with FCI. He said that till April 20, 61000 metric tons of wheat had been sent through special vehicles and today, on April 21, another 24000 metric tons of wheat is being sent through nine special vehicles. With this, a total of 85000 metric tons of wheat has been sent. Tomorrow, on April 22, 26 special trains will be run.
Verma said that in case, any farmer is facing any problem with purchase or payment, they can report on the government's toll free number 1100. Immediate action will be taken on the information given by the farmer.
