Punjab News:Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak Reviews Paddy Purchase at Raiya Mandi
Punjab News:Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak Reviews Paddy Purchase at Raiya Mandi
State Government Committed to Procuring Every Grain Grown Through Farmers’ Hard Work and Sweat: Lal Chand Kataruchak
1,887 Mandis Notified Across Punjab to Ensure Smooth and Hassle-Free Paddy Purchase: Lal Chand Kataruchak
Punjab Cabinet Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak, today visited Raiya Grain Market in Amritsar district to review the arrangements for paddy purchase. He was accompanied by Baba Bakala Sahib MLA S. Dalbir Singh Tong, Sanjeev Bhandari, President, Nagar Council Raiya, Jathedar Baldev Singh Bodhewal, Block Samiti Member, Rajiv Bhandari, President, Arhtiya Association, District Food and Civil Supplies Controller Mr. Jatin Verma, and officials of various purchase agencies.
At Raiya Grain Market, Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak reviewed the arrangements for the commencement of paddy purchase and congratulated farmers on the beginning of the purchase season. On the occasion, he offered sweets to farmers Gagandeep Singh Gagrewal and Parminder Singh Jallupur following the purchase of their produce. He also interacted with other farmers, labourers and commission agents who were present at the mandi.
Speaking to media persons, the Cabinet Minister said that government purchase of paddy has commenced across Punjab from October 1. He said all necessary arrangements, including shade, clean drinking water, sanitation and electricity, have been completed at mandis across the state for the convenience of farmers.
He informed that Punjab has been given a target of 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for the 2026-27 season. He said 1,887 mandis have so far been notified across the state to ensure smooth and efficient operations, while additional mandis would be made functional as required. He added that the department has also received 5 lakh gunny bags (bardana) for packing the paddy brought by farmers to the mandis.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that Punjab has received approval for a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of ₹42,786.68 crore for October for the current season. He said the state government would ensure prompt and uninterrupted payment to farmers for their purchased produce. He further stated that paddy would be purchased from farmers at the rate of ₹2,461 per quintal.
Reiterating the commitment of the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to purchase every grain produced through the hard work and sweat of farmers, Mr. Kataruchak said that the Punjab Government would ensure payment to farmers within 24 hours of purchasing their paddy.
He added that proper arrangements have also been made for clean drinking water and medical facilities for labourers engaged in unloading and packing operations at the mandis. He said that the government’s objective is to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders associated with the process, including farmers, commission agents and labourers.
The Minister further informed that the Government of India has prescribed a maximum permissible moisture limit of 17 per cent in paddy for purchase. He appealed to farmers to harvest their crop only after it has fully matured and to bring properly dried paddy to the mandis.