SAS Nagar Mandis witnessed procurement of 1,96,628 metric tonnes of paddy crop by Tuesday evening, which is 115 per cent of the arrival expected for this year.
Divulging details, the Deputy Commissioner Mrs Aashika Jain, today, after conducting a meeting to take stock of the purchase, lifting and payment, said that till now, 94 per cent of the purchased crop has been lifted from the mandis of the district. She said that so far during the season, the highest lifting of 10560 metric tons has been recorded from the grain markets in a single day.
Reiterating Chief Minister Punjab, S. Bhagwant Singh Maan’s assurance of purchasing every single grain from the grain markets, she said that the district administration has always remained on its toes for the smooth running of the season and till now, payment of Rs 428.63 crore have been transferred to the accounts of the farmers, which amounts 103 per cent.
The Deputy Commissioner further said that as 115 per cent of paddy has been purchased in the district compared to the stipulated target, so now to curb the supply of paddy from outside states in the local grain markets, the district has decided to close the temporary mandis/yards from the evening of November 2, but procurement by Government Procurement Agencies will remain continue in 08 main markets of the district and if any farmer wants to sell his crop, he should take it to the nearest main grain market.
The temporary mandis/yards where the procurement operations would be stopped include Rurki, Daun Majra, Bhago Majra, Saneta, Amlala, Nagla, Samgauli, Tiwana, Tsimbali, Jadot and Yard of Ashok Batra.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed the SDMs of the three sub-divisions to visit the rice shellers and carry out physical verification of the stock lying there so that the stored paddy and the stock could be reconciled. ADC (G) Viraj Tidke, SDM Mohali Chandrajyoti Singh, SDM Kharar Gurbir Singh Kohli, SDM Derabassi Himanshu Gupta, Field Officer Chief Minister Inderpal, District Food and Supply Controller Dr Navreet and representatives of various agencies were present in the meeting.