CM raises issue of procurement with Amit Shah

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday seek the kind intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for carrying out smooth procurement operation in the state.

During telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann apprised him about the hiccups in smooth procurement operations. He informed the Union Home Minister that issues like transportation cost, shortage of storage, issue of hybrid variety quality and loss to sheller owners is jeopardising the procurement process. The Chief Minister urged the Government of India to pay heed towards resolution of these issues in larger interest of the country.

The Chief Minister said that farmers, Arthias and millers are the backbone of Food security in the country. He said that while farmers produce the grains, Arthias and millers ensure that they are procured, stored and lifted properly. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this year 185 lakh metric ton paddy is expected in the state adding that state government has made elaborate arrangements for smooth procurement of grains.

However, the Chief Minister said that certain issues of millers like storage space, Driage and transportation are concerned with the union government due to which process of lifting is little slow. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had already flagged these issues with the union government adding that meeting of millers is scheduled to be held in New Delhi with Union Home Minister on Wednesday. He said that the union government must sympathetically consider the genuine demands of millers so that procurement process can be completed smoothly.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed for smooth and hassle free procurement of grains. He said that due to late milling during last marketing season storage space of 120 lakh metric ton has not been freed yet. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that centre should immediately sets its wheels in motion to free this space so that further milling can start.

The Chief Minister said that it is imperative for national food security and smooth execution of Public Distribution system. He said that as the season of wheat is also coming ahead so it is in the larger interest of the country that this issue is resolved immediately. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for safeguarding the interests food growers of the country.

Dwelling on another issue, the Chief Minister said that the centre government should immediately release the state’s pending share of RDF. He said that Punjab government has already completed the necessary formalities for it and now it is the high time that centre should release this money. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that states are not beggars and they should be given their legitimate share of funds by centre instead of harassing them.