States » NorthPosted at: Sep 30 2026 11:33PM

Ambala, Sep 30 (UNI) Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday directed officials to ensure immediate procurement and lifting of paddy with moisture content below 17 per cent, saying farmers arriving at grain markets should not face difficulties because of congestion or delays.
Inspecting procurement operations at the New Grain Market in Ambala Cantonment, Vij personally checked the moisture content of paddy heaps and reviewed arrangements made for farmers.
“Farmers are our pride, honour and dignity, and we will not allow them to face any difficulty,” Vij said, directing the district administration to speed up lifting of procured produce.
He said quick lifting was essential to continuously create space in the market for fresh arrivals.
“Whatever quantity of paddy arrives, we will take prompt action for its lifting so that space remains available for farmers bringing their produce,” he said.
Vij said paddy procurement had begun on Tuesday and produce with moisture above the prescribed level was being dried at the market before procurement.
The minister also reviewed facilities at the New Grain Market, including a farmers' office, rest house and canteen.
He said the canteen, which earlier operated only until afternoon, would now provide food at night for farmers staying at the market with their produce.
Ambala Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta and other district officials accompanied the minister during the inspection.
Addressing farmers and commission agents later, Vij said the new grain market had transformed procurement infrastructure in Ambala Cantonment.
He said the earlier market operated from a small space where tractor-trolleys faced difficulty entering and farmers had inadequate space to dry their produce.
“Three chief ministers laid foundation stones for the grain market, but Ambala Cantonment got only stones, not the work. Work started when our government came to power,” Vij said.
He said construction of the new grain market was among the first projects he took up after the BJP government came to power in Haryana in 2014.
Vij also spoke about the under-construction and recently completed development projects in Ambala Cantonment, including a memorial dedicated to the 1857 uprising.
He said the memorial, built at a cost of about Rs 800 crore, would have 21 galleries depicting events associated with the 1857 uprising across the country.
Vij said historical documents available with the project indicated that an armed uprising had begun in Ambala Cantonment before the outbreak at Meerut.
The memorial would present the history and contribution of those involved in the revolt, he added.
“Power for us is not a means to enjoy privileges, but a means to serve,” Vij said, adding that development projects undertaken in Ambala Cantonment reflected the government's focus on public infrastructure.
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