Centre begins procurement of paddy in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 26

In view of the early arrival of paddy at mandis, the Central Government has allowed procurement operations to begin in the state on September 26, instead of October 1. All necessary arrangements such as posting of staff, storage space, finances, etc, have been made by the authorities for a smooth procurement.

There are 4,035 procurement centres (mandis) in the state. The Food Corporation of India (FCI), along with state procurement agencies, has made arrangements for paddy procurement. Around 170-lakh metric tonne paddy is expected to arrive at mandis in the state this year. FCI officials said the corporation had sufficient storage space available to accommodate the paddy to be procured and consequent custom milled rice of the Central pool.

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, procurement will be done in a staggered manner and arrival of farmers’ at mandis will be regulated through tokens issued by arhtiyas to ensure social distancing. Further, mandi areas will be regularly fumigated, cleaned and disinfected and wearing of masks will be made mandatory. Arrangements of masks, facilities for washing of hands (with soap and running water) and alcohol-based sanitisers will be ensured by officials of procurement agencies.