FOOD, CIVIL SUPPLIES & CONSUMER AFFAIRS MINISTER LAL CHAND KATARUCHAK EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO PUNJAB CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN FOR EXTENSION IN PADDY PROCUREMENT PERIOD

ON REQUEST OF STATE GOVERNMENT, CENTRE EXTENDS PROCUREMENT PERIOD TILL DECEMBER 7, 2023

CHANDIGARH, NOVEMBER 30:

Acceding to the request of the State Government to extend the procurement period in the interest of hardworking farmers of the State due to late sowing in certain parts of State affected by floods in July this year, the Central Ministry of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) has allowed extension of procurement period till 7th of December.

Disclosing this here, the Punjab Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had directed the Department to take up the matter with DFPD to extend the paddy procurement time period as Punjab had witnessed state-wide floods leading to late sowing and eventually delayed harvesting which is still on-going in certain parts of the state.

Expressing his gratitude to the Chief Minister, the Food and Supply Minister said that Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann has always been at forefront of safeguarding interests of our Anndatas.

 This extension was necessary in view of the on-going harvesting in some parts, the Minister said underlining that it has been possible only because of the personal efforts of the Chief Minister in this regard.

Pertinently, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Government of India in its communication dated 30.11.2023 has conveyed approval for revision of procurement period of paddy during KMS 2023-24 as 01.10.2023 to 07.12.2023 instead of earlier fixed as 01.10.2023 to 30.11.2023.

Reiterating the State’s commitment to lift every single grain of paddy brought by famers in mandis, the Minister said that the State had made all necessary arrangements to ensure seamless procurement for the farmers bringing paddy to the state Mandis. As on today, as part of the on-going KMS 2023-24 Season, around 185 Lakh Metric Tonnes of paddy has been purchased across the state by state procurement agencies. Rs. 39,400 Crores have been transferred directly into the accounts of the state farmers as MSP.