Over 10 mn tonnes of paddy procured in Punjab

CHANDIGARH - Over 10 million (1,032 lakh) tonnes of paddy have been procured in grain markets across Punjab this season since the procurement process started Oct 1, a state government spokesman said here Wednesday.

He said out of the total stock arrival in grain markets, over 98.5 per cent have been procured by government agencies, five from the Punjab government and the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Private rice millers have procured less than 1.5 per cent of the total stocks.

Despite complaints from farmers from various grain markets that the procurement was slow and that they have been waiting to sell their produce even in festival days, officials of procurement agencies said only the paddy stocks with right moisture and colour content were being lifted as per central government procurement parameters.

Ludhiana was leading in procurement operations followed by Patiala and Ferozepur districts.

The state is expecting another bumper paddy crop of over 14 million (140 lakh) tonnes this season. One thousand seven hundred and 10 procurement centres have been set up in grain markets across the state this season.