Ready with plan B for milling of paddy to safeguard interests of farmers: says CM

Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said that state government is ready with plan with B to carry out milling across the state in larger public interest.

During a meeting with delegation of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha here at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that farmers, Arthias and millers are a chain of food production in the state and it should not be disturbed. He said that the state government is committed for safeguarding the interests of every stakeholder. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that blackmailing of any of the stakeholders will not be allowed and if needed the state government will not hesitate to get the milling of Rice from outside the state.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has B plan ready for getting the milling of rice done to safeguard the interests of common food growers. He said that the state government will not hesitate to take this decision in wake of the larger interests of the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that some forces inimical to the state are trying to politicise this matter just for getting credit of paddy procurement unfortunately at cost of harassing farmers.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is firmly committed to the smooth and hassle free procurement of paddy and it is duty-bound to make every effort to ensure that the government’s decision is duly implemented. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is personally monitoring smooth and hassle free procurement and lifting of grains and no stone will be left unturned for it. He said that state government has already made elaborate arrangements for purchasing the harvest of farmers as soon as it arrives in the Mandis.

The Chief Minister categorically said that distress sale of the paddy in the Mandis will not be allowed and severest of severe action will be taken against officers found responsible for it. He said that 185 lakh Metric ton paddy is expected this year in the market for which 2651 Mandis have been set up across the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that around 18.31 lakh metric ton paddy has arrived in Mandis out of which 16.37 lakh metric ton has been purchased and payment worth Rs 3000 crore has been made to farmers.

The Chief Minister said that last year the milling of paddy had taken place late due to which the current problem of space is arising. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that after he had flagged the issue with Union Minister he had assured to transport 120 lakh metric ton paddy from outside the state by March 2025. He said that the state government is committed to procure and lift every single grain of the produce of farmers adding that no farmer will celebrate festival of Diwali in Mandis.

The Chief Minister said that he had already taken up the issues of millers and Aarthias with the Government of India adding that the Union government has agreed to most of demands. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had also apprised the Union Minister that Punjab and Haryana fall in centralised procurement zone and it should be maintained by all means. He said that the issue of bales have already been resolve in the state as the Punjab government has flagged this issue with the union government.

The Chief Minister said that CCL to the tune of Rs. 41,378 Crores for KMS 2024-25 has already been released by the RBI. He said that experts of Punjab Agricultural University has repeatedly emphasised that as compared to long duration variety (Pusa 44), PR 126 saves 20-25 per cent water. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it has lesser straw load (10%), provides 25-40 days more window period for residue management along with saving of about Rs. 5000 per acre of input costs thereby immensely benefitting the farmers.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has already enhanced the labour charges in the state adding that if needed the state government will further explore possibility of increasing it. He said that the state government has already decided not to award the contract of left over material from mandis of Punjab state from the year 2023-24. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this decision has been taken to raise the standard of living of poor tribes/people adding that it is being implemented meticulously.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is vehemently raising up the issue of smooth supply of DAP fertilisers with the Union government. He said that this is the need of hour to ensure that ensuing season of the wheat plantation is ensured smoothly. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is fully committed for safeguarding the interests of the farmers of the state.

On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Lal Chand Kataruchak were also present.