·        MLA AND DC INAUGURATES PROCUREMENT OF PADDY IN THE DISTRICT

Jalandhar, October 1-

MLA Mr. Avtar Singh (Bawa) Henry and Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma today said that the Punjab government was committed for ensuring smooth and hassle free procurement of the paddy in the ongoing season to facilitate the farmers’.

MLA and Deputy Commissioner, who visited the new grain market, to inaugurate the procurement of paddy here today, said that the state government would lift every single grain of Paddy in a smooth and hassle free manner, during the ongoing marketing season. They said that the state government has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the harvest of farmers was lifted from the grain markets in a smooth and hassle free manner adding that farmer would not be allowed to face any sort of problem while selling their produce. They said that besides procurement a proper mechanism has been evolved for the proper transportation and storage of the grains.

The MLA and Deputy Commissioner said that all the chiefs of the all six procurement agencies have been asked to personally supervise the Paddy procurement operations ensuring prompt and smooth lifting of paddy as per their allotted share of procurement. They said that special instructions have been issued to the officers/ officials for timely payment of produce to the farmers so that they do not face any inconvenience for the sale of their produce in the mandis. Mr. Henry and Deputy Commissioner said that officers have been instructed to make requisite arrangement of power, sheds for the farmers, potable water supply and equipment to monitor the quality of paddy in each procurement centre. Likewise, they said that directions have also been given to officers to make foolproof arrangements in mandis to avoid wastage of the produce besides ensuring proper sanitation facilities in them.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner said that the procurement of about 10 lakh metric ton of paddy was expected in the district this year. He said that around 78 mandis/purchase centers have been notified for the procurement of paddy in the district.  Mr. Sharma appealed to the farmers’ to bring moisture free grains to the market and avoid burning of paddy straw, which causes a major environment hazard.   Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Sub Divisional Magistrate Mr. Subash Chander, Deputy Food & Supply Controller Mr. Narinder Singh, District Mandi Officer Mr. Varinder Khera and others.