Centre seeks four-day extension for paddy procurement in Punjab

New Delhi: The central government has requested a four-day extension to address the ongoing crisis surrounding the procurement and lifting of paddy in Punjab.

Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi held discussions with Punjab’s rice millers, where sheller owners expressed concerns that if the issue remains unresolved, it could escalate into a law and order problem in the state.

The matter has now been forwarded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who will make the final decision. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had a phone conversation with Shah, urging him to address the concerns of sheller owners, arhtiyas, and expedite the movement of food grains out of the state.

Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu, senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh, and representatives from the rice milling industry, including Bharat Bhushan Binta, President of Punjab Rice Industry Association, and Tarsem Saini, President of Punjab State Millers Association, also attended the meeting.

The rice millers have demanded that central procurement norms be relaxed and that godowns be cleared to make way for new crops. Binta said that without these relaxations, the financial burden on the government would increase, and crop harvesting could be delayed.

Minister Joshi assured that 125 lakh metric tonnes of food grains will be moved from Punjab’s godowns by June 30, 2025. The Centre is expected to announce any relaxations soon to address the immediate concerns.