Centre steps in as Punjab faces procurement crisis, Meeting with rice mill owners called

Chandigarh: The central government has decided to intervene in Punjab’s procurement crisis as farmer anger grows. Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has summoned Punjab’s rice mill owners to Delhi for a crucial meeting on Wednesday, October 23.

In response, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced several incentives to encourage sheller owners to lift paddy from the mandis. Approximately 2,000 sheller owners have already signed agreements for paddy milling, but around 3,500 remain undecided.

During a visit to the Rajpura procurement centre today, Mann worked to expedite the lifting process. Punjab Rice Industry Association president Bharat Bhushan Binta confirmed that he has been invited to meet the Union minister to discuss the situation further.

In a move to ease the crisis, the Centre has extended the deadline for paddy milling delivery to October 31.

Meanwhile, farmer unions, including BKU Ugrahan, have ramped up protests, with sit-ins at 51 locations and road blockades in Gurdaspur district, demanding swift procurement and crop lifting.

The Punjab government has introduced several concessions for sheller owners, such as free allotment of maximum paddy to new rice mills, reduced non-refundable fees for milling under the release order scheme, and a 20% price increase for paddy allotted to shelters in six border districts.

Likewise, mills that failed previous quality tests will now be allowed to participate, provided they meet certain criteria.

The paddy harvesting has commenced in several districts as agreements are being signed. In Khanna, about 45 sheller owners have begun lifting paddy, with 50% of the crop already moved.

The state expects around 700 more sheller owners to join the process soon. However, CM Mann has warned that action will be taken against those involved in undercutting paddy prices from farmers.